OHP and Public Health Approaches

Question 1

Define DPH

Answer 1

science and art of preventing oral diseases, promoting oral health, and improving quality of life through organised efforts of society

Question 2

Differences between DPH and individual patient care

Answer 2

1. serves community rather than individual
2. concerned with public as individuals and as a whole
3. applies dental research to community settings
4. focuses on the causes of the causes of disease
5. administers group dental care programmes

Question 3

Criteria of a public health problem

Answer 3

1. widespread or serious problem
2. problem has severe consequences to the community and individuals
3. problem costs the community and individual greatly
4. there are effective methods available to prevent, alleviate or cure the problem

Question 4

Causes of dental disease

Answer 4

1. poor oral hygiene
2. cariogenic diet
3. limited/no exposure to fluoride
4. genetic factors
5. tobacco use
6. irregular dental attendance
7. dental trauma

Question 5

Determinants of health

Answer 5

1. education
2. income
3. age
4. social and physical environment
5. social class
6. gender
7. ethnicity

Question 6

Designing a strategy for improving health

Answer 6

Aim
> what is the goal

Objectives
> what are the steps required to reach the goal
1. appropriate
2. realistic
3. measurable
4. positive
5. important
6. timed
7. stated
SPECIFIC - MEASURABLE - APPROPRIATE - REALISTIC - TIMED

Identify the problem
> what is the problem needing addressed

Understanding the problem
> what is the history of it
> what is the aetiology of it
> what is the incidence
> what is the prevalence

What are the possible solutions
> effective interventions
> means of delivering interventions
> resources required
> interested parties

How will the strategy be evaluated
> are goals achieved
> are objectives met

Question 7

What is the planning cycle for strategies to improve health

Answer 7

1. identify a problem
2. design a strategy to solve the problem
3. implement the strategy
4. monitor and evaluate the strategy

Question 8

Possible public health approaches for dental disease

Answer 8

1. health education
   > provision of information to individuals/populations on how to prevent disease and improve health
   > diet - eat less sugar, less often
   > oral hygiene
   > dental examinations
   > smoking cessation
   > alcohol limitation
2. screening
3. dental treatment
4. health promotion
   > give people control over their health
   > give people the chance to improve their health
   > prevention based interventions such as fissure sealants and fluoride varnish

Question 9

Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion

Answer 9

1. build healthy public policy
   > free fruit in school
2. create supportive environments
   > provide toothbrush and toothpaste to children
3. strengthen community action
   > community support groups
4. develop personal skills
   > toothbrushing instruction in school
5. re-orient health services
   > GP referral to oral health services

Question 10

Oral Health Improvement Plan for Scotland 2018

Answer 10

1. focus on prevention
   > dental practices paid for prevention
   > personalised care plans for patients
2. meet the needs of an ageing population
   > dental provision in care homes via domiciliary
3. improve information for patients
   > costs of NHS treatment
4. have an effective workforce
   > utilise the dental team members skills
5. reduce oral health inequalities
   > supporting deprived communities
6. provide more services on the high street
   > increase treatments able to be performed on the high street instead of PDS
7. ensure quality assurance and improvement
   > ensuring dental care provided is of good quality

Question 11

Features of Childsmile

Answer 11

1. toothbrush/toothpaste pack and weaning cup given to children by health visitors prior to 1st birthday
2. toothbrush/toothpaste pack given to all nursery children 2x yearly and p1 children 1x yearly
3. toothbrush/toothpaste packs distributed to Childsmile accredited dental practices
4. targets children of 3 years+ because they are at increase risk
5. targets services to areas with highest levels of deprivation as caries rates highest here
6. fluoride varnish applied 2x yearly by Childsmile dental teams in nursery and school

Question 12

Role of Childsmile practices

Answer 12

1. promote oral health from birth
2. target families with young children
3. referred to the practice by the health visitor
4. linked with a dental health support worker

Question 13

National programmes aimed at addressing oral health inequalities

Answer 13

1. caring for smiles
2. smile 4 life
3. open wide
4. mouth matters
5. lets talk about mouth cancer campaign