In the field of dentistry, prevention encompasses various activities aimed at averting the onset of oral diseases or conditions (primary prevention). It involves early-stage diagnosis of oral diseases or the prevention of their recurrence (secondary prevention). Furthermore, prevention in dentistry extends to enhancing or sustaining an individual's functional oral health status (tertiary prevention). This multifaceted approach underscores the significance of proactive measures to safeguard oral well-being, ranging from avoiding initial disease development to managing and maintaining optimal oral function. Preventive measures in dentistry can be broadly targeted at various levels, encompassing the entire population, specific segments (such as school children), or individual patients. Prevention strategies may apply universally to all individuals, irrespective of their individual risk factors (mass prevention), or they can be tailored specifically for high-risk groups. This tailored approach recognizes the diverse nature of preventive interventions, catering to different populations and individual needs to effectively address and mitigate oral health risks.

Dr. Shivangi Varshney is Working as a senior lecturer in Shree Bankey Bihari Dental College, UP , India. She completed her BDS, MDS (Public Health Dentistry) ITS-CDSR, UP.