23. Promotion of oral health - guidelines, principles, strategies, process of health promotion, methods of health promotion, health education.

Health Promotion. Definition & Basic Principles

Main instrument: Health behaviour

Health Promotion

Definition

• WHO (1980s): Health promotion is the process of creating opportunities for people to improve their health through self-regulation and healthy behaviour.
• It aims not only to prevent disease but also to strengthen, enhance and improve health.

Main priorities

• Equality – reducing differences in health status between population groups.
• Improving health – adding years to life and life to years (better quality of life).

Factors influencing health

• Lifestyle – 48–52%
• Climate & geographical factors – 20–22%
• Heredity – 18–20%
• Medical services – about 10%
• Therefore, health promotion focuses mainly on behaviour and lifestyle change, not only medical treatment.

Health Education

Definition

• Health education is a pedagogical process that provides knowledge, develops skills and forms healthy habits and behaviour.

Components

• Cognitive component – knowledge, beliefs, values.
• Behavioural component – practical skills and habits.

Factors influencing health education

• Personality – culture, education, morals, values.
• Social environment – family, friends, colleagues.
• Physical environment – living conditions, environmental hazards.
• Social regulations – laws, politics, economy.
• In dentistry:
• Oral hygiene instruction – fluoride use – healthy diet – smoking prevention – regular dental attendance.