Preventive Dentistry — 30-Min Notes

1. Definition & Scope

• Preventive dentistry: measures to **prevent dental diseases** and promote oral health.

• Focus: Dental caries, periodontal diseases, oral cancer.

• Scope: Community, Clinical, Pediatric, Geriatric dentistry.

2. Dental Plaque & Calculus

• Plaque: soft, adherent bacterial biofilm.

• Primary etiologic factor for caries & periodontitis.

• Calculus: mineralized plaque → cannot be removed by brushing.

• Methods of detection: disclosing agents, explorer, radiographs.

3. Caries Prevention

• Fluoride: topical (varnish, toothpaste), systemic (water, supplements).

• Optimal water fluoridation: 0.7–1 ppm.

• Diet counseling: reduce sugars, frequent snacking.

• Sealants: especially occlusal surfaces of molars in children.

• Oral hygiene instructions: brushing, flossing, interdental brushes.

4. Periodontal Disease Prevention

• Primary factor: dental plaque.

• Mechanical removal: brushing, floss, scaling.

• Professional prophylaxis: scaling, polishing, root planing.

• Adjunct: chlorhexidine mouthwash (0.12–0.2%).

• Reinforce: Smoking cessation reduces periodontitis risk.

5. Oral Cancer Prevention

• Risk factors: tobacco, alcohol, HPV, betel nut.

• Early detection: routine oral screening, biopsy of suspicious lesions.

• Patient counseling: avoidance of risk factors.

6. Community & Public Health

• Water fluoridation, school dental programs.

• Oral health education campaigns.

• Target groups: children, elderly, high-risk populations.

• Indicators: DMFT index, CPI/PSR for periodontal status.

7. Preventive Strategies — Summary

• Primary prevention: prevent disease onset (fluoride, sealants, oral hygiene).

• Secondary prevention: early detection & treatment (scaling, restorative).

• Tertiary prevention: limit disability & restore function (prosthesis, surgery).

• Mnemonic for caries prevention: FOSS → Fluoride, Oral hygiene, Sealants, Sugar control

8. Pediatric Preventive Dentistry

• Early dental visits: by 1 year of age.

• Diet counseling, fluoride varnish, pit & fissure sealants.

• Space maintainers in case of early loss of primary teeth.

• Habit counseling: thumb sucking, tongue thrusting.

9. Geriatric Preventive Dentistry

• Focus on dry mouth, root caries, periodontal maintenance.

• Regular dental checkups, denture hygiene.

• Diet counseling & fluoride application.

10. Patient Education & Motivation

• Oral health education: individualized and community programs.

• Behavioral reinforcement: motivation, reminders, visual aids.

• Reinforce: consistency of daily oral hygiene.

11. Key High-Yield Points (Repeated in NEET MDS)

• Water fluoridation 0.7–1 ppm → caries prevention.

• Scaling & root planing → cornerstone of periodontal therapy.

• Sealants → first permanent molars in children.

• Chlorhexidine 0.12–0.2% mouthwash → adjunct therapy.

• Smoking & tobacco cessation → periodontal & oral cancer prevention.

• DMFT & CPI → commonly asked indices in MDS exams.

• Pediatric visit by age 1 → high-yield repeated fact.