Permanent dentition of a child starts from?

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse - 2019

Explanation

Permanent dentition begins around 6 years of age with the eruption of the first permanent teeth.
This stage is known as the mixed dentition period, where both primary (baby) and permanent teeth are present in the mouth.
The first permanent teeth to emerge are typically the first molars (often called "6-year molars") and the mandibular (lower) central incisors.

Option B: By 8 years of age, the permanent dentition period has already begun. This age is typically associated with the eruption of the maxillary (upper) central incisors and the lateral incisors.
Option C: At 10 years of age, a child is well into the mixed dentition phase. This is the period when canines and premolars start to erupt.
Option D: By 12 years of age, most permanent teeth (except for wisdom teeth) have already erupted. This age marks the end of the mixed dentition period, not the beginning.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Chronology of Permanent Dentition Eruption as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a key role in health promotion and can educate parents about their child's dental health during well-child visits.
It is crucial to advise parents on the importance of applying dental sealants to the newly erupted 6-year molars to prevent cavities (dental caries) in their deep grooves.
What if? If a child has not erupted any permanent teeth by age 8, it is considered a delayed eruption. The nurse should recommend a dental consultation to investigate potential causes like nutritional deficiencies, endocrine disorders, or mechanical blockage.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key concept in the question, which is the 'start' of 'permanent dentition'.
Recall the developmental milestones of childhood. Remember that permanent teeth begin to replace primary (baby) teeth in early school age.
Associate the eruption of the very first permanent teeth, commonly known as the '6-year molars', with the correct age.
Evaluate the given options. 6 years is the earliest age listed and directly corresponds to the eruption of the first permanent molars. The other ages (8, 10, 12) represent later stages in the process of permanent tooth eruption.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Chronology of Permanent Dentition Eruption
Stem keywords: Permanent dentition, child, starts
Lead-in keywords: starts from
Clinical cues: Age/sex group narrows the expected diagnosis, intervention, or normal reference range.

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E6 Anatomy Grays 43e Vol 2 Part 1 p. 90-92

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 220-222

Practise the full NHM UP Staff Nurse - 2019

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.