30 years of preventive dentistry--and 30 years into the future.

Preventive dentistry has had a major impact on the prevalence of dental caries and, to a lesser extent, periodontal disease since the 1970s. It should continue to have a positive effect on the oral health of the community in the future. The factors behind improvements seen in oral health are many and varied but include changes in public health policy, technology and commercial decisions made in the industrial sector. As oral health has improved, and tooth retention increased, the focus of preventive dentistry has widened to include all population groups, increasingly including older adults, and to include a wider range of disorders. The major issues relevant to preventive dentistry which have occurred over the last 30 years are discussed. The authors will speculate on the impact that the prevention of oral disease might have over the next 30 years.