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Ethics & Law · single question

A 12-year-old with anterior enamel stains is brought in by parents demanding veneers, threatening to go elsewhere if refused. What is the best response?

  1. Refer the family elsewhere without discussion
  2. Explain the drawbacks of veneers at this age, present conservative alternatives such as bleaching or microabrasion, and decline the veneers
  3. Place composite veneers as a compromise without discussing alternatives
  4. Place the veneers to retain the family in the practice
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Correct answer: B. Explain the drawbacks of veneers at this age, present conservative alternatives such as bleaching or microabrasion, and decline the veneers

  • A. Referring without any explanation abandons the educational duty and the family's real concern.
  • B. Correct. At 12 the gingival margin is still migrating apically and the pulp chambers are large. Irreversible preparation is contraindicated. Education plus conservative alternatives respects both beneficence and non-maleficence.
  • C. Skipping the informed-consent discussion is inadequate regardless of the material chosen.
  • D. Providing treatment known to be harmful to retain a patient violates non-maleficence.

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