Key players in prevention encounters

Increasingly, modern dental practices are adopting a proactive prevention orientated ethos. In any preventive encounter there are usually three main players. These are: the clinical leader who is most often the dentist, the patient or parent or carer of the patient and a dental care professional. Each has a clear role to play and, for the most effective prevention encounters, each is required to offer the most appropriate attitudes, apply the relevant knowledge, communicate effectively, be willing to bring about change and either offer or use suitable support.

This article considers each of the roles in turn and describes what each should bring to the encounter to maximise the impact and benefits of increased preventive activity in daily care.