Top tips for preventative dentistry in primary care

Stabilisation of primary disease is a key pillar of successful treatment in the provision of dental care. As well as managing periodontal disease, managing caries is a crucial component of a successful treatment plan. Treatment plans are often divided into the following phases.

Phased treatment

1. Emergency treatment
2. Elimination of active disease to achieve oral stability
3. Rehabilitation/Reconstruction phase
4. Maintenance/Monitoring phase.

Whilst the focus is often on phases 1 and 3, achieving oral stability is the foundation of future success. Often in the rush to progress to phase 3, not enough time is spent on phase 2 given the time pressures in busy practices. However, if we do not relay the appropriate preventative messages to our patients, treatment carried out in phase 3 will inevitably fail. In this short article we discuss some of our experiential tips for preventative care in primary care.