Ethics & Law · patient case question
Given the 8 mm overjet and competitive basketball participation, what should be recommended?
Patient case: Behavior Management and Infection Control
demo: 11-year-old male with autism spectrum disorder
chief: Restorative appointment; parent is present in the operatory.
history: Autism spectrum disorder with repetitive echolalic speech. Plays competitive basketball. Class II Division 1 malocclusion with an overjet of 8 mm.
meds: None
findings: Frankl behavior rating 2 (negative). Parent and child are both to be gowned and masked during an aerosol-generating procedure.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. A custom-fitted mouthguard to protect against traumatic dental injury
- A. A nightguard addresses parafunction during sleep, not impact protection during play.
- B. Correct. Increased overjet is one of the strongest predictors of anterior traumatic dental injury, and basketball has a high rate of orofacial trauma. A custom mouthguard is the immediate protective measure.
- C. Withdrawing a child from sport is disproportionate and not a dental recommendation.
- D. Orthodontics will reduce long-term risk but does not protect him this season; it is not the immediate answer.