[Aspects of prophylactic orientation in stomatology]

The prophylactic orientation is a basic principle, the application of which, in the stomatological practice, on a constant basis, aims at a significant improvement in the status of bucco-dental health of the population, and the transformation of the present type of stomatology, in a truly modern stomatological medicine. The author makes a detailed analysis of the strategy employed in the reduction of the provence of the main bucco dental diseases, and of the necessities for stomatological treatment, especially of the reduction by over 50% of the prevalence of dental caries, which, at the present time, makes necessary to carry out approximately 75% of the entire volume of stomatologic activities in adults. Also the reduction is attempted, of the prevalence of gingivitis, parodontitis, dento-maxillary anomalies, of the cancer of the buccal cavity, and other affections, by methods and means of primary prophylaxis, applied in the majority of the population. The secondary prophylaxis is also analysed, as it is carried out by early detection and treatment of lesions and diseases in the dento-maxillo-facial field. Other aspects are also discussed, such as: extension of the prophylactic orientation in the curative stomatological practice, and the avoidance of iatrogenic lesions and diseases, which are frequent in the stomatological practice; the ergonomic organization of the working place, and of the work methods, reduction of the risks involved in contracting or transmitting to or from the patients of various diseases, prophylaxis of occupational diseases in stomatologists, prophylaxis of aspects, attitudes or behaviour which are against etichal and deontological principles of the profession, as well as the necessity for a better preparation from the prophylactic viewpoint of stomatologists and their coworkers in view of coping with increased competence and efficiency with the increased demands of stomatological assistance of the population.