Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

If a patient is experiencing difficulty swallowing, what might be the issue?

1. Excessive salivation

2. Insufficient interocclusal space

3. Oral thrush

4. Misaligned dentures

The correct answer is: Insufficient interocclusal space

When a patient experiences difficulty swallowing, having insufficient interocclusal space can significantly contribute to this issue. The interocclusal space refers to the distance between the upper and lower dental arches when the teeth are in a resting position, and it plays a crucial role in the proper function of the oral cavity during chewing and swallowing. If this space is inadequate, it can hinder the movement and positioning of food as it is processed in the mouth, making it difficult to form a cohesive bolus that can be easily swallowed. Insufficient interocclusal space may be a result of various factors, such as poorly designed dentures, bone resorption, temporomandibular joint disorders, or other dental or anatomical abnormalities. This can lead to a lack of adequate space for the tongue to maneuver the food, increasing the risk of obstruction and making the swallowing process challenging. Other options like excessive salivation, oral thrush, or misaligned dentures might also present difficulties in swallowing. However, they would typically manifest with different symptoms or mechanisms that are not primarily related to the physical spacing and movement required for the swallow reflex and food transport. Excessive salivation may cause a feeling of fullness or difficulty managing saliva, while oral thrush could lead to discomfort or