Ethics & Law · single question
A pregnant patient presents for a routine check-up and mentions she drinks several glasses of wine daily. What should you do FIRST?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Counsel her about the risks of alcohol in pregnancy (fetal alcohol syndrome)
- A. Correct. Daily alcohol use in pregnancy poses a serious, time-sensitive risk to the fetus (fetal alcohol spectrum disorder). Patient education/counseling (and appropriate referral) takes priority over routine dental procedures.
- B. Prophylaxis is routine care and can follow; it is not the urgent priority.
- C. Restorations are not the immediate priority over counseling about a serious fetal risk.
- D. Radiographs are deferred/limited in pregnancy and are not the first action here.