Preventive dentistry refers to preventing oral disease and treating problems in the earliest stages to keep them from progressing. The dentist proactively educates and treats the patient so oral diseases are prevented and detected early, improving the patient’s oral health and quality of life.
1. Educate patients
Yes, it sounds obvious, but educate patients on good oral hygiene practices. Mention how good oral hygiene is directly related to their overall health. The mouth is the entrance to the respiratory and digestive tracts. Poor oral health is linked to diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and pneumonia, so it’s important to advise patients on maintaining their oral health. Also, advise patients about the best dietary choices to maintain their oral health, like limiting sugary and acidic foods.
For young patients, include a tooth brushing and mouth rinsing session during the appointment. Observe the patient’s oral hygiene procedures and correct improper cleaning and rinsing, if necessary.
2. Perform Diagnostic Scans
During a dental Diagnostic Scan (also known as a wellness scan), the dentist uses an intraoral scanner to create a precise 3D image of a patient’s teeth, gums, and bite. Diagnostic Scans empower dentists to practice preventative care by detecting and treating oral health issues before they become worse and allow dentists to monitor changes over time.
Example: If a Diagnostic Scan detects tooth grinding, the dentist can stop further damage by treating the root cause like anxiety or sleep apnea.
A Diagnostic Scan is a great opportunity to educate patients about their oral health. As you and the patient look at the results together, discuss the patient’s history and current issues, and suggest treatments. This encourages the patient to feel connected to their oral health and promotes co-discovery, which leads to increased case acceptance—an important part of successful preventative care.
3. Encourage fluoride use
Educate patients on the importance of fluoride use in maintaining good oral health emphasizing the use of fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses. If the patient is highly susceptible to tooth decay recommend high-strength fluoride toothpaste.
Many US cities add fluoride to their tap water but not all do. If you live in an area that doesn’t provide fluoridated tap water, encourage patients to use fluoridated water to help prevent tooth decay.
4. Recommend fluoride varnish and dental fissure sealant
Fluoride Varnishes (Duraphat, Prevident, Fluoridin, Cavity Shield, etc.) are effective for caries prevention in all age groups. For patients with a moderate risk of cavities, a twice-a-year fluoride varnish application is recommended.
Pit and fissure sealants (BeautiSealant, Embrace, TRIAGE EP, etc.) form a hard shield that keeps food and bacteria from getting into tiny teeth pits and fissures. Applied to the premolar and molar teeth, sealants prevent tooth decay in all patients.
Young children who are at risk for dental caries can benefit from the application of sealant. Sealant is placed on the occlusal surfaces of the first permanent molars. Inform the child’s parent or guardian about this protective treatment, before teeth eruption.
5. Practice proactive dentistry
Proactive dentistry includes addressing dental issues early and employing strategies to help prevent future problems. Also, identifying and treating issues before they become worse and preventing the need for future invasive procedures.
For example, you may advise treatment to strengthen a weak or cracked tooth to prevent further breakage such as a new filling or a crown to protect it. Preventative treatment is preferred to delaying treatment until the condition worsens and a dental emergency happens.
Thorough patient education, Diagnostic Scans, fluoride treatment, and regular checkups allow dentists to detect and treat problems in the earliest stages, preventing the need for more extensive treatment in the future.
Why is preventive care important?
Many oral diseases are preventable with early detection and treatment. Good oral hygiene combined with early detection and routine treatment saves the patient money. Since restorative and emergency treatments are less likely, money spent on preventive care is reduced.
Preventive dentistry earns your patient’s trust, which makes case acceptance easier. New patients who feel well cared for are more likely to become regular patients, which benefits you and your practice.
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Resources:
https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/48185
https://www.dentalhealth.org/preventive-care-and-oral-hygiene
https://www.dentalproductsreport.com/view/from-reactive-to-proactive-dentistry
