National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) Dental Hygienist Practice Test

What level of care does periodontal treatment fall under?

1. Primary level of prevention

2. Secondary level of prevention

3. Tertiary level of prevention

4. Quaternary level of prevention

The correct answer is: Secondary level of prevention

Periodontal treatment is considered part of the secondary level of prevention. This level is characterized by its focus on early detection and intervention in order to halt the progression of disease. In the context of periodontal health, this means that periodontal treatments are applied to a patient who already exhibits signs of disease, such as gingivitis or periodontitis, to prevent further damage to the periodontal tissues and to manage the condition effectively. Secondary prevention includes procedures like scaling and root planing, periodontal maintenance, and various restorative treatments aimed at managing existing periodontal disease. By effectively addressing these conditions, periodontal treatment helps to reduce the risk of more severe complications, which aligns with the objectives of secondary prevention. Understanding the hierarchy of prevention levels is important. Primary prevention aims to prevent disease before it occurs, secondary focuses on early intervention and disease management, and tertiary prevention deals with rehabilitation and management of existing disease consequences. Quaternary prevention is focused on avoiding unnecessary interventions. Thus, the classification of periodontal treatment as secondary level of prevention appropriately reflects its role in managing active disease and preventing further periodontal damage.