Ethics & Law · single question
A terminally ill patient with approximately ONE YEAR left to live presents for dental consultation. Which of the following would you NOT recommend?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Dental implant placement
Implant placement requires multi-year healing and maintenance — not appropriate for a patient who would not live to benefit.
- A. CORRECT. Dental implant placement is not appropriate for terminally ill patients with approximately one year to live. The osseointegration and prosthetic timeline extends months to years — the patient would not benefit, and invasive surgery is inconsistent with palliative care goals.
- B. Palliative pain management is the cornerstone of terminal patient care — always appropriate.
- C. Extracting symptomatic teeth is appropriate palliative care — it relieves pain and infection.
- D. Removable prosthetics (dentures, partials) can be quickly delivered to restore function and are appropriate palliative dental care.