L10 Scientific basis of oral health

Question 1

Which aspects of health education are to be targeted?

Answer 1

Agreed scientific basis means problems can be identified and therefore tackled
Behavioural changes likely to reduce risk of disease should be identified then implemented
Promotion of acceptable/viable messages to the public

Question 2

Describe the development of the scientific basis of oral health

Answer 2

Before 1975 there was no scientific basis of oral health, many mixed messages so BASCD + HEC produced the document (HEC is now NICE)
Many editions followed, all adding to the focus

Question 3

What are the key messages of the report?

Answer 3

Diet-Reduce consumption and frequency of intake of sugars/confectionary
Tooth brushing- twice a day with fluoride toothpaste (take care with children so they don’t eat/take in too much
Fluoride- fluoridation is safe and effective way of maintaining oral health in communities, should be targeted at high caries communities.
Dental attendance- oral exam every year, but people at risk may have had to be seen more often
Document is a consensus document so available for anyone who helped make the document

Question 4

What information is given about dental caries?

Answer 4

Caused by frequent acid attacks (as shown in Stephan’s curve)
acid attack occur due to ingesting simple sugars (caries occurs when demineralization exceeds remineralisation)
Glucose, fructose, sucrose and lactose cause caries (lactose isn’t when present in milk)
Cariogenic when in confectionary/biscuits/cakes
Safe foods include dairy products/ vegetables (cows milk = non cariogenic, cheese = saliva stimulant)
Whole fruit juices - no link to dental caries
Sugar sweetened soft drinks =5-12% extrinsic sugar cariogenic
No food before bed means saliva flow rate decreases remineralisation does not occur
The scientific basis- gives an explanation and supporting evidence for the cause and prevention of dental disease.

Question 5

What is the role of the toolkit?

Answer 5

Gives the dental team a prescriptive preventive strategy for individual patients based on age and risk assessments. - a member of the dental team can just pick up the toolkit and be able to give the best preventative advice tailored to each patient.

6th edition of scientific basis and the toolkit are synchronised- together they act as an invaluable guide for the dental team.