What are some examples of primary prevention?

• A. Vaccines, diet/exercise program, avoiding tobacco, oral health education, plaque removal thorough brushing and flossing, antimicrobials, topical fluoride, sealants, mouth guards.
• B. Only vaccines and fluoride varnish
• C. Surgical interventions
• D. None of the above

Answer: (A)

Primary prevention focuses on stopping disease before it starts by addressing risk factors and strengthening protective factors. The broad range listed—vaccines, a healthy diet and regular exercise, avoiding tobacco, oral health education, thorough plaque control with brushing and flossing, antimicrobials used prophylactically, topical fluoride, sealants, and mouth guards—fits this goal in dental care. Vaccines prevent disease and can indirectly reduce oral health risks; plaque control lowers bacterial load and caries risk; fluoride strengthens enamel and helps prevent decay; sealants block pits and fissures from caries; mouth guards prevent trauma. The other options are too limited or describe interventions for existing disease rather than prevention (surgical interventions address damage already done). So this broad set accurately represents primary prevention.