BDS Preventive Dentistry Syllabus

Preventive Dentistry syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Preventive Dentistry in BDS, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Introduction to Preventive Dentistry

   2 topics

   • Definition and Scope
     • Historical Background
     • Importance in Public Health
     • Objectives of Preventive Dentistry
   • Levels of Prevention
     • Primary Prevention
     • Secondary Prevention
     • Tertiary Prevention
2. 2

   Oral Health Promotion

   3 topics

   • Health Education
     • Principles of Health Education
     • Methods of Health Education
     • Evaluation of Health Education Programs
   • Community Water Fluoridation
     • History and Development
     • Mechanism of Action
     • Benefits and Risks
     • Controversies and Misconceptions
   • School Dental Health Programs
     • Components of School Dental Programs
     • Implementation Strategies
     • Evaluation and Outcomes
3. 3

   Preventive Measures for Dental Caries

   3 topics

   • Fluoride Therapy
     • Systemic Fluoride
     • Topical Fluoride
     • Fluoride Varnishes and Gels
     • Fluoride Toxicity
   • Pit and Fissure Sealants
     • Indications and Contraindications
     • Application Techniques
     • Effectiveness and Longevity
   • Dietary Modifications
     • Role of Sugars in Caries Formation
     • Dietary Counseling
     • Alternative Sweeteners
4. 4

   Preventive Measures for Periodontal Diseases

   2 topics

   • Plaque Control
     • Mechanical Plaque Control
     • Chemical Plaque Control
     • Plaque Control Programs
   • Gingival Health
     • Gingival Diseases
     • Preventive Strategies
     • Gingival Health in Special Populations
5. 5

   Preventive Orthodontics

   2 topics

   • Early Detection and Intervention
     • Growth and Development Assessment
     • Space Maintainers
     • Habit Control Appliances
   • Interceptive Orthodontics
     • Indications and Techniques
     • Outcomes and Follow-up
6. 6

   Preventive Measures for Oral Cancer

   3 topics

   • Risk Factors
     • Tobacco Use
     • Alcohol Consumption
     • HPV and Other Infections
   • Early Detection and Screening
     • Screening Techniques
     • Public Awareness Programs
     • Professional Training
   • Preventive Strategies
     • Tobacco Cessation Programs
     • Vaccination Programs
     • Diet and Lifestyle Modifications
7. 7

   Preventive Measures for Dental Trauma

   2 topics

   • Risk Assessment
     • Identifying High-Risk Individuals
     • Environmental Risk Factors
   • Preventive Strategies
     • Use of Mouthguards
     • Education on Safe Practices
     • Emergency Management and First Aid
8. 8

   Special Considerations in Preventive Dentistry

   3 topics

   • Pediatric Dentistry
     • Early Childhood Caries
     • Preventive Strategies for Children
   • Geriatric Dentistry
     • Oral Health Challenges in Elderly
     • Preventive Measures for Elderly
   • Patients with Special Needs
     • Tailored Preventive Strategies
     • Caregiver Education and Training

Preventive Dentistry flashcards for BDS

24 of 51 cards from the Preventive Dentistry deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is Preventive Dentistry?

   The branch of dentistry concerned with the maintenance of oral health and the prevention of dental diseases (such as caries and periodontal disease) through education, professional care, and self-care measures before they occur or progress.

2. According to Leavell and Clark, what are the three levels of prevention?

   1) Primary prevention (before disease onset), 2) Secondary prevention (early diagnosis and prompt treatment), and 3) Tertiary prevention (limitation of disability and rehabilitation).

3. What are the two sub-phases of PRIMARY prevention?

   Health promotion (e.g., health education, nutrition) and specific protection (e.g., fluoride application, pit and fissure sealants).

4. In prevention levels, into which level do pit and fissure sealants and topical fluoride fall?

   Primary prevention, specifically the 'specific protection' component.

5. Give an example of SECONDARY prevention in dentistry.

   Early detection and restoration of an incipient carious lesion, or scaling and root planing for early periodontitis, to halt disease progression.

6. Give an example of TERTIARY prevention in dentistry.

   Replacing lost teeth with dentures, bridges, or implants (rehabilitation), or complex prosthodontic reconstruction to restore function after disease damage.

7. What are the three essential (interdependent) factors in the caries etiology model (excluding time)?

   Host/tooth susceptibility, cariogenic microflora (bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans), and a fermentable substrate (diet). Time is the fourth factor added by Newbrun.

8. What is the optimal concentration of fluoride in community water fluoridation?

   Approximately $1\ \text{ppm}$ (about $1\ \text{mg/L}$); the U.S. Public Health Service recommended level was updated to $0.7\ \text{ppm}$ in 2015.

9. Who first proposed the optimal water fluoride level and reduction in caries, and in what landmark study city was fluoridation first implemented?

   H. Trendley Dean established the concept; Grand Rapids, Michigan (USA) was the first city to fluoridate its water supply, in 1945.

10. Approximately what percentage caries reduction is attributed to community water fluoridation at optimal levels?

    Historically about $50$–$60\%$; in the modern era with widespread fluoride toothpaste it is estimated around $25\%$.

11. What is dental fluorosis and what causes it?

    A developmental hypomineralization of enamel (mottling, from white flecks to brown staining and pitting) caused by excessive fluoride ingestion during tooth formation.

12. What index is used to classify the severity of dental fluorosis?

    Dean's Fluorosis Index (categories: normal, questionable, very mild, mild, moderate, severe).

13. What is the recommended fluoride concentration in adult fluoride toothpaste?

    $1000$–$1500\ \text{ppm}$ fluoride (commonly $1450\ \text{ppm}$).

14. By what mechanism does fluoride make enamel more caries-resistant at the crystal level?

    Fluoride replaces the hydroxyl group in hydroxyapatite to form fluorapatite: $\ce{Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 + 2F- -> Ca10(PO4)6F2 + 2OH-}$, which has a lower solubility and higher acid resistance.

15. Below approximately what pH does hydroxyapatite in enamel begin to demineralize (the 'critical pH')?

    Approximately $\text{pH } 5.5$ for hydroxyapatite (and about $4.5$ for fluorapatite).

16. List three main mechanisms of action of fluoride against caries.

    1) Promotes remineralization and forms fluorapatite (reduced enamel solubility), 2) Inhibits demineralization, and 3) Inhibits bacterial metabolism (e.g., enolase enzyme in glycolysis).

17. What is the fluoride concentration and application frequency for professionally applied fluoride varnish?

    $5\%$ sodium fluoride varnish ($22{,}600\ \text{ppm}$ F), typically applied every 3–6 months for high-caries-risk patients.

18. What is the concentration of acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel used professionally?

    $1.23\%$ fluoride ($12{,}300\ \text{ppm}$), applied in trays for about 4 minutes.

19. Why should APF gel be avoided on porcelain or composite restorations?

    The acidic (low pH) formulation can etch and roughen porcelain and glass-ionomer/composite surfaces; neutral sodium fluoride is preferred in such cases.

20. What is the primary purpose of a pit and fissure sealant?

    To physically occlude the deep pits and fissures of occlusal surfaces, creating a barrier that prevents bacteria and fermentable substrate from accumulating, thereby preventing occlusal caries.

21. Which tooth surfaces benefit most from pit and fissure sealants and why?

    The occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth (molars and premolars), because deep pits and fissures are the most caries-prone sites and are least protected by fluoride.

22. What are the two main types of pit and fissure sealant materials?

    Resin-based sealants (most common, require acid etching and a dry field) and glass-ionomer sealants (release fluoride, more moisture-tolerant).

23. What etchant and concentration is typically used before placing a resin sealant?

    $37\%$ phosphoric acid, applied for about 15–30 seconds to create micro-retention in enamel.

24. What is the main risk if a resin sealant is placed over moisture-contaminated enamel?

    Poor bond strength and micro-leakage, leading to sealant loss and potential caries developing underneath the sealant.

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