Tertiary prevention occurs during which period?

• A. Pre-pathologic
• B. Early pathogenesis
• C. Later in the period of pathogenesis
• D. Post-pathologic

Answer: (C)

Tertiary prevention is about minimizing the impact of a disease that has already begun and preventing further damage, with a focus on rehabilitation and restoring function. This places it in the later phase of the disease process, where pathology is present and continuing, rather than before disease starts or at the very earliest signs. In dentistry, that means actions like restorations, crowns, root canals, or prosthetic rehabilitation to salvage structure and regain function, while also adding measures to prevent recurrence. Primary prevention happens before any disease is present, and secondary prevention targets early disease to stop progression; tertiary is specifically about managing established disease to reduce disability and improve outcomes.