[Preventive practice in dentistry and its current meaning].

Improvements in the field of sealants and of adhesive restorations based thereon represent the most important new development in preventive dentistry. Caries prevention by means of better nutritional habits is greatly enhanced by newly developed and marketed sugar-free and tooth sparing products. Statistical mortality studies have again demonstrated that prevention by means of fluorides constitutes no danger to public health. Considerable advances have been made in the field of fluoridation of domestic salt. Newer Scandinavian studies revealed that intensive care programs with children including dental hygiene sessions every 3-5 weeks resulted in moderate decreases of caries incidence. By contrast, intensive care programs with adults were extremely successful. By means of 4-6 recall sessions with dental hygienists it was possible to completely stop periodontal destruction for 4, even for 7 years. Apart from initial restorative and conservative dental work, the success of periodontal treatment may be guaranteed only by prevention of recurring gingivitis. Extensive dental statistics from Switzerland reveal a marked success of applied preventive dental medicine. The work of dental practitioners is by now greatly influenced by the new scientific insight gained from research in the prevention of dental disease.