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Early childhood caries with facial swelling — NDEB AFK MCQ

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HardPaediatric DentistryEarly childhood caries with facial swellingNDEB AFK

A 4-year-old has fever, facial swelling, and gross caries of tooth 5.4. The child is cooperative only briefly, and the swelling extends toward the lower eyelid. What is the most appropriate treatment?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: E — Urgent dental source control with medical assessment

Fever and spreading facial swelling from a primary molar indicate an odontogenic infection requiring urgent source control and medical assessment. Fluoride or routine pulpotomy would delay treatment of a potentially spreading infection. The pearl is that facial space involvement in a young child is a safety issue, not a routine caries visit.

Reference: CDA paediatric oral health resources; NDEB KSAs 2024