7. Dental health. Basic characteristics.

Dental Health. Basic Characteristics

• Dental health is an essential component of general health.
• Pilot’s definition:
• Healthy, functioning natural dentition throughout life, allowing chewing, speech, aesthetics and taste without discomfort.
• Similar to WHO health concept:
• Physical well-being – Mental well-being – Social well-being.
• In practice, the goal is an acceptable level of dental health, not perfect health.

Components of Dental Health

• Biological aspect – healthy teeth, healthy oral tissues, normal oral function.
• Social aspect – communication, appearance, eating, social participation.
• Mental aspect – comfort, confidence, psychological well-being.

Dental Health Phenomena

• Dental status – objective condition of teeth and oral tissues.
• Dental morbidity – frequency and severity of dental diseases in a population.
• Dental needs – treatment/prevention required according to professional assessment.
• Dental demand – care actually requested by patients.
• Dental care utilisation – actual use of dental services.
• Relationship:
• Dental status – Needs – Demand – Utilisation.

Main Characteristics of Dental Public Health

• Dental caries and periodontal diseases are among the most common diseases in the population.
• Main dental problems:
• Caries – periodontal disease – tooth loss – dentofacial abnormalities – oral neoplasms.
• Dental diseases are multifactorial; prevention and treatment must be balanced.
• Dental treatment is expensive because it requires trained personnel, equipment, materials and medications.
• Public motivation for prevention is often low because most dental diseases are not life-threatening.
• Dental care is mainly outpatient; only about 2% of cases require hospitalization.
• Dental diseases are generally irreversible and progressive.