A 50-year-old patient presents for a cleaning. Description: white palate with red areas surrounding minor salivary gland orifices, no photo provided. What type of lesion is this?

Correct answer: B. Reactive

• A. While Candida can cause white lesions, the described pattern with red salivary gland openings is reactive nicotine stomatitis.
• B. Correct. The description — white palate with red dots/areas at the openings of minor salivary glands — is classic for NICOTINE STOMATITIS. However, when the options are 'developmental, reactive, infectious, neoplastic,' the answer is REACTIVE — the lesion is a REACTIVE lesion occurring in response to chronic heat and irritation from smoking. Nicotine stomatitis is a reactive hyperkeratosis.
• C. The description does not suggest malignancy.
• D. Developmental lesions are present from birth or early development — a 50-year-old's new white palate lesion is not developmental.