Prevalence and prevention Flashcards
What does epidemiology mean
is the study of the distribution and determinants of diseases in populations
What is Prevalence
the proportion (%) of population with a disease at any given point (point prevalence) or period (period prevalence in time)
What are examples of decriptive epidemiology
Estimated that oral diseases affected at least 3.58 billion people worldwide
Caries of the permanent teeth being the most prevalent of all conditions assessed.
Globally, it is estimated that 2.4 billion people suffer from caries of permanent teeth and 486 million children suffer from caries of primary teeth.
What does ICDAS stand for
International Caries Detection and Assessment System
How can we record dental caries
DMF - no. of decayed, missing or filled teeth
ICDAS - restorative status and caries status
Significant caries index - takes into account skewed distribution of caries in population
Why are dental caries becoming more prevelant in developing countries
Dental caries levels were low until recent years with the growing consumption of sugar in developing countries as a result of westernization increasing likelihood of dental decay. While caries have stated to decrease in industralised countries beause appropriate and effective public health measures are in place
What has contributed most to the improvement in oral health statistics recently
Fluoride
What strategies are used to prevent caries in populations
High risk individual approach (clinical risk assessment)
Targeted population approach (targeting on areas of deprivation / communities)
Whole population approach (universal ie / eg. a founding principle of the NHS)
Name 5 childsmile stakeholders
NHS education scotland
Scottish government
Primary care dental teams
Public health nutritionists
Academic community
Local authorities
What upstream actions can be untaken
Socioeconomicand political content
-social &welfare policies
-Food policies
-Education policies
What do midstream actions involve
Community context
-community assets and workforce
-schools and nurseries
-voluntary/NGO sector
What does downstream actions affect
Behaviour & biological factors
-Age, biolfilm, behaviours (diet toothbrushing etc)
Psychological factors
-stress
-perceived control
-social support
Health services
-quality of care
What are some midstream programmes underway
Nursery fluoride varnish (Targeted)
Education settings- Nursery toothbrushing (Universal)
Community settings Dental Health Support Workers Community Linking (Targeted)
