During which phase of treatment should reassessment of the patient's oral hygiene be performed?

Correct answer: C. Disease control phase (after initial therapy)

• A. Incorrect. The definitive phase (final restorations, prosthetics) occurs AFTER reassessment confirms successful disease control.
• B. Incorrect. The acute phase addresses emergencies (abscesses, pain) — it is too early to formally reassess oral hygiene response to therapy.
• C. Correct. Reassessment of oral hygiene and periodontal response (re-evaluation/re-assessment visit) occurs after completion of the DISEASE CONTROL PHASE (initial non-surgical therapy: SRP, plaque control instruction, risk factor modification). At 4–8 weeks post-SRP, the dentist assesses tissue response before determining if further (surgical) treatment is needed.
• D. Incorrect. The maintenance phase comes after all active treatment — reassessment at this point tracks long-term stability, not the initial response to therapy.