Trends in Oral Health Flashcards
What is epidemiology?
Study of disease in human population - group and not individual unit of interest
Use of epidemiology in dental health?
Identify distribution and determinants of dental disease
How is epidemiology important to clinician?
Show level and trend of dental disease
Predict type of work will do and how change over time
How measure disease/health in population?
Via index
Properties of ideal index?
Easy to learn and use Objective Valid Reliable Reproducible Quantifiable Acceptable
What is measured in terms of oral health?
Caries Periodontal health Trauma Malocclusion Oral cancer Dental fluorosis
What indices are used for caries?
DMF/dmf
What is DMF?
Measure decayed, missing or filled teeth
Difference DMF and dmf?
DMF = permanent dmf = primary
What is max score of DMF and dmf?
DMF = 28 dmf = 20
How can dmf be used to work out caries rate?
F/DMF x 100
Limitations of DMF?
Assume missing/ filled teeth due caries (could be other reason)
Restoration placed numerous reason
Irreversible - score can’t improve
Age sensitive
Limitation of indices?
Doesn’t tell us about: pain, function, psychological wellbeing and self-perception
What can cause variations in trends?
Age
Geography
Socioeconomic
Ethnicity
What is most common health condition?
Untreated dental caries
