When does tertiary prevention occur?

• A. Earlier in pathogenesis period.
• B. Later in pathogenesis period.
• C. At initial onset.
• D. After treatment success.

Answer: (B)

Tertiary prevention focuses on reducing disability and restoring function after disease has already caused damage, so it is applied later in the disease process. In dentistry this means interventions like restorations, rehabilitation, or prosthetic replacement that prevent further complications once damage has occurred. Primary prevention occurs before disease starts, and secondary prevention aims to detect and halt early progression. Therefore tertiary prevention is best described as happening later in the pathogenesis period.