Global Burden of Disease

Question 1

Why should we take a common risk factor approach?

Answer 1

There are common risk factors in chronic disease.

Oral conditions share common risk factors with other non-communicable diseases, as well as the wider social and economic determinants of health.

Question 2

List 8 common risk factors for oral health impacting tooth decay, perio disease, oral trauma, diabetes, obesity, cancers, cardiovascular disease & respiratory disease

(refer to blue web image)

Answer 2

Ø Unhealthy diet
Ø Injuries
Ø Lack of exercise
Ø Lack of control
Ø Stress
Ø Alcohol
Ø Tobacco use
Ø Poor hygiene

Question 3

State 3 reasons why oral disease still a major global problem.

Answer 3

1 - failure to implement PREVENT measures

2 - failure to UNDERSTAND the social determinants of oral diseases

3 - RELIANCE on activities that dental practitioners can deliver to pts

Question 4

What are the recommendations for facing the challenge of oral health inequalities?
(7 marks)

Answer 4

The Lancet Series (2019):

1) Reform healthcare systems

2) Improve epidemiology & oral health surveillance systems

3) Educate & train future oral health workforce appropriately

4) Tackle OH inequalities

5) Focus on upstream interventions to maximise OH improvement

6) Advance research agendas

7) Amplify global advocacy

Question 5

State 5 policies to reduce dietary sugars intake:

Answer 5

1. Higher taxation on sugar-rich food & sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs).
2. Ensure transparent food labelling for informed consumer choices.
3. Strongly regulate sugar in baby foods & SSBs.
4. Limit marketing & availability of sugar-rich foods & SSBs to children & adolescents.
5. Provide simplified nutrition guidelines to promote healthy eating and drinking

Question 5

List 7 cheeky tactics of the sugar industry:

Answer 5

1 - Spend vast sums on marketing

2 - Engage in aggressive lobbying

3 - Deny that sugar is harmful

4 - Undermine the credibility of opponents

5 - Find scientists to discredit the evidence

6 - Argue that :
○ Aetiology is complex, so individual products cannot be blamed;
○ Population health measures are ‘too simple’ to address complex public health problems.

7 - Divert the focus of attention away from sugar – fluorides, physical activity

Question 6

What steps would you take for Awareness to Action?
(6 marks)

Answer 6

Ø Shift emphasis of oral health towards an approach based on public health principles

Ø Develop strong oral health ALLIANCES - based on existing good relationships between WHO, IADR & FDI

Ø Partner w/ other oral health professionals, whilst maintaining an individual identity

Ø Develop strong & effective advocacy based on clear messages

Ø Understand & challenge the sugar industry

Ø Recognise that this will require effort & sustained commitment