Dental Caries: The Problem

Abstract

In recent years there has been a growing interest in preventive aspects of dentistry. Initially it is difficult for the dental practitioner to become preventive orientated. Perhaps the main reason is that if prevention is to be effective, the dentist himself must believe that prevention works. This is probably the most difficult concept for him to accept because throughout his undergraduate and other training the reparative aspects of dentistry were stressed, and the major part of his practice time is almost certainly spent on tooth repair. In addition, the high level of dental disease to which the practitioner is continually exposed, together with the relative absence of any formal training, knowledge or experience in preventive dentistry, will tend to impress upon him that the prevention of dental disease is more of an academic rather than a practical approach to the problem.