Current research in preventive dentistry and its impact on the future of dental care

To my mind, preventive dentistry has not changed all that much in the last 10 to 15 years. No miracle drug has come on the scene to prevent periodontal disease. There is no caries vaccine to eliminate dental caries. Interestingly, it has been the traditional technologies that have, given the advantage of time, proven their potential. The reality seems to have surpassed even our most optimistic expectations. But while we have learned how to effectively implement these technologies in many instances, the promotion of water fluoridation has lagged. Nevertheless, the improvements in oral health speak well of the work of our predecessors, who shaped the world of modern dental care. It is up to the profession to use existing preventive technologies to their best advantage and to devise even better preventive measures for the 20 per cent to 30 per cent of the population who are at highest risk of caries and periodontal disease. This paper has focused on some points of interest that have been published in the dental literature on preventive dentistry. Other issues represent concerns of the author. I invite comment and discussion on the topics and issues that were raised. Dialogue is healthy.