Table 1 Three stages of prevention applied to dental caries

Primary prevention

Prevention of disease in the absence of disease carried out to variable extents by separate public health groups (such as community-based fluoride strategies as a foundation for oral health)

Secondary prevention

Prompt detection of early-stage disease in order to provide effective arrest and/or regression prior to the cavity stage

Tertiary prevention

For more advanced (cavitated) stages of lesion severity, this aims to prevent further hard tissue destruction while restoring function and aesthetics and preventing the initiation of new disease. However, restorative care is often provided when not yet needed according to contemporary guidance (tooth structure destroying invasive surgical care provided, but often without any control of the aetiological or risk factors to prevent recurrence of caries)