Which of the following is an example of secondary prevention?

• A. Minimally invasive restorative treatment
• B. Radiographic examination
• C. Pap-smears
• D. Vaccination

Answer: (A)

Secondary prevention focuses on actions taken after a disease process has started to detect and treat it early, stopping or slowing its progression and preserving function.

Minimally invasive restorative treatment fits this idea in dentistry because it directly addresses a lesion that has already begun, removing affected tissue and restoring the tooth so caries progression is halted while conserving as much natural structure as possible.

Radiographic examination helps detect disease but does not itself halt progression; Pap smears are screening for cervical abnormalities, not an intervention to stop disease progression; vaccination prevents disease from occurring in the first place.