Oral health education: risk factors and prevention of oral diseases

Nélio Veiga*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Oral health is defined by the World Health Organization as a state of being free from chronic mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, oral sores, birth defects such as cleft lip and palate, periodontal disease, dental caries and tooth loss, and other diseases and disorders that affect the oral cavity. Its importance has been recognized during the years and studies have demonstrated the increase of the prevalence of oral diseases, namely dental caries and periodontal diseases. Nowadays, oral diseases are the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide that afflict humanity and affect a high percentage of the world population in industrialized and developing countries, turning out to be a costly burden to health care services. The treatment of oral diseases is expensive, accounting for between 5% and 10% of total health care expenditures in industrialized countries. In most developing low-income countries, the prevalence rate of dental caries is high and more than 90% of dental caries is untreated. An estimated 5 billion people worldwide suffer from dental caries. Although considerable progress has been made in the prevention and treatment of dental caries, not all segments of the population have benefited equally. It was long taken for granted that people of lower socioeconomic status have worse health than people of higher socioeconomic status. The epidemiology of oral health Author responsible for correspondence: Nélio J. Veiga, Health Sciences Department-Portuguese Catholic University. Estrada da Circunvalaçâo. 3504-505, Viseu, Portugal. Tel: 00351 966454933. E-mail: [email protected] shows that the prevalence of oral diseases is different among socioeconomic classes, higher mainly among those with lower monthly incomes, lower educational levels and living in rural areas. This chapter has the objective of explaining the main aspects, definitions and determinants related with oral health and oral disease prevention.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPrivate and public schools
Subtitle of host publicationinternational perspectives, management and educational efficiency
PublisherNova Science Publishers, Inc.
Pages63-84
Number of pages22
ISBN (Electronic)9781634823869
ISBN (Print)9781634823654
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2015

Keywords

  • Dental caries
  • Epidemiology
  • Fissure sealants
  • Oral health
  • Oral health education
  • Oral health promotion
  • Primary preventive dentistry

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