Concepts In Dental Public Health

Chapter 1 History and Principles of Dental Public Health

What Is Health?
Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. (WHO World Health Organization)

What Is Public Health?

The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting physical health and efficiency through organized community efforts. (Winslow,1920) Public health is peoples health. It is concerned with the aggregate health of a group, a community, a state, or a nation. (Knutson, 1955)

What Is Dental Public Health?

The science and art of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting dental health through organized community efforts. It is that form of dental practice that serves the community as a patient rather than the individual. It is concerned with dental health education of the public, with applied dental research, and with the administration of group dental care programs, as well as the prevention and control of dental diseases on a community basis. (ABDPH American Board of Dental Public

Outside Groups

Health care provider groups Citizen coalitions Philanthropic organizations Third-party payers Schools Faith organizations Businesses

Remember!

The most distinctive difference between public health and private practice is the concept of the community as the patient.

Skills Used In Dental Public Health

Assessing/diagnosing oral health needs Planning/implementing/evaluating oral health programs Providing educational services Applying research Using epidemiology Formulating policy Advocating Understanding health care organization

Core Functions of Public Health

Assessment Policy Development Assurance

Assessment

Public health agencies regularly and systematically collect, assemble, analyze, and make information available on the health of a community.

Policy Development

Public health agencies serve the public interest by promoting the use of scientific knowledge in the development of comprehensive public health policies.

Assurance

Public health agencies assure their constituents that services necessary to achieve goals are provided. These services must be made available to every member of the community.

The Purpose of Public Health

Prevent epidemics and spread of disease Protects against environmental hazards Prevents injuries Promotes/encourages healthy behaviors Responds to disasters Assures quality and accessibility of health services

What Is A Public Health Problem?

Two Criteria: 1. A condition or situation that is a widespread actual or potential cause of morbidity or mortality. 2. A perception by the public, government, public health authorities that the condition is a public health problem.

Examples of Public Health Problems

Bioterrorism West Nile Virus SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) Auto safety Water purification Oral disease

Phases of Public Health

First Phase (1849-1900) Public health dealt with elimination and control of disease b/c of rapid growth of industry and crowded and poor working conditions.

Phases Of Public Health

Second Phase (1880-1930) Population based prevention strategies Immunizations Reduction of effects of diseases

Phases Of Public Health

Third Phase (1930-1975) Treatment of disease through complex medical treatments Infectious diseases eradicated Cures for acute health problems

Phases Of Public Health

Fourth Phase We are in it now! Technology used in treatment Longer life expectancy = more health issues Encourage healthy lifestyle choices (not smoking) Global issues

ADHA Role in Public Health

Mission: to improve the publics total health. Early profession of dental hygiene was prepared to provide education and treatment in the community setting.

Public Health Achievements

Vaccination Motor vehicle safety Workplace safety Infectious disease control Reduction in death from CHD and stroke Safer and healthier food Healthier mothers and babies Family planning Fluoridated drinking water Tobacco use recognized as a health hazard

Healthy People 2020

Comprehensive, nationwide, health promotion and disease prevention plan 1200 (approx) objectives 42 focus areas (including dentistry) Progress tracked by National Center for Health Statistics

Surgeon Generals Report On Oral Health

Released in May 2000 First report from Surgeon General on oral health in 50 year history Primary message is that oral health is a part of general health and well-being of patients States that there are profound disparities in oral health in America. (children, elderly, disabled, ethnic groups)

Public Health Infrastructure

See textbook page 11 15 departments of government Public health falls under Department of Health and Human Services IMPORTANT: Global health also affects the health of the local population. (ie AIDS, and SARS)