2. Dental Health Service. Factors influencing its development · Dental Public Health · MU Sofia

2. Dental Health Service. Factors influencing its development.

Defines the dental health service as a subsystem of healthcare and lists its main aims, then sets out primary and specialised care levels and the out-patient and in-patient types of dental care. Describes the out-patient units, from individual practices and group practices to dental and medico-dental centres and laboratories, and the role of hospital dental care, with common indications. Closes with the biological, behavioural and management factors that shape the service's development, including financing, staffing and accessibility, and a brief note on the Bulgarian legal framework.

Inside: 9 sections · 6 flashcards · 2 min

Topic 2 of 38 in the MU Sofia syllabus for Dental Public Health (Dental Medicine, Year 3). The free AceMed note covers it in 9 sections, about 338 words (2 min of reading), with 6 flashcards.

Dental Health Service. Factors influencing its development.

Dental Health Service = a subsystem of the healthcare system consisting of dental health units and control institutions designed to meet the dental needs of the population.
Main aims:
prevention of oral diseases
early detection
timely treatment
maintenance of oral function and general health

Levels of Health Care

Primary health care

first contact with the patient
usually provided by a GP or general dentist

Specialized health care

provided by specialists after referral

Types of Dental Care

Out-patient care

patient comes and leaves the same day
includes: dental practices • dental centres • medico-dental centres • diagnostic laboratories

In-patient care

overnight hospital treatment
includes: active treatment hospitals • long-term treatment hospitals • rehabilitation hospitals

University hospitals

treatment + teaching + training centres

Out-patient Dental Health Units

Individual practice for primary dental care

organized by a general dental practitioner

Individual practice for specialized dental care

provided by a dentist with a recognized specialty

Group practice

several dentists working together
may provide primary and/or specialized care

Dental centre

clinic for primary and specialized dental care
usually includes: ≥1 general dentist + ≥3 specialists

Medico-dental centre

provides specialized medical and dental care
includes dentists and physicians of different specialties

Medical diagnostic & medico-technical laboratories

support specialized out-patient care
include: X-ray units • biochemical tests • dental technician laboratories