Which activity is used to prevent disease before it starts?

• A. Iron supplementation
• B. Fluoride varnish application
• C. Restorative dentistry
• D. Crown placement

Answer: (C)

Primary prevention aims to stop disease before it begins. In dentistry, fluoride varnish application is a classic example of this approach: it strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent dental caries from developing, especially in children and other high-risk groups. By reducing the likelihood of decay forming in the first place, this intervention stops the disease process before it starts.

Restorative dentistry and crown placement, on the other hand, address problems after decay or damage has already occurred, restoring function rather than preventing the disease. Iron supplementation can prevent systemic deficiencies, but within the dental context, it’s not a direct preventive measure for dental caries. So the activity that prevents disease before it starts is fluoride varnish application.