A 5-year-old child's dentition shows erupted lower central incisors, lower first molars, and nearly-erupted upper first molars. Compared to standard eruption charts, this child's dental age is:

Correct answer: C. Greater than chronological age (advanced)

• A. Incorrect. Equal dental and chronological age implies eruption follows the average schedule exactly.
• B. Incorrect. Delayed eruption (less than chronological age) would mean fewer teeth have erupted than expected.
• C. CORRECT. Having lower central incisors, lower first molars, AND nearly-erupted upper first molars at age 5 indicates more advanced dental development than the average for that age. The dental age is therefore ADVANCED compared to the chronological age.
• D. Incorrect. Eruption timing is a well-established and commonly used indicator of dental maturity.