Dental Prevention Methods Quiz

Concepts of Prevention in Dentistry

• Prevention in dentistry is a systematic application of measures and strategies to avoid, control, or prevent diseases and conditions of the mouth.

• The goal of prevention activities is to empower individuals to maintain optimal oral health, identify potential issues early, and collaborate with dental professionals to minimize the impact of dental diseases.

• This includes: -Promoting Optimal Oral Health: encouraging proper hygiene practices, educating on balanced diets and lifestyle choices like tobacco cessation and limiting alcohol. -Preventing the Onset of Dental Diseases: implementing primary prevention measures to eliminate or reduce risk factors, advocating for community-based interventions (e.g., water fluoridation), and applying dental sealants. -Early Detection of Oral Health Issues: conducting routine check-ups and screenings, utilizing diagnostic tools (X-rays, visual exams) to identify early signs of disease. -Minimizing the Progression of Dental Diseases: implementing secondary prevention strategies to treat and manage dental diseases early, including fluoride treatments or remineralisation agents and periodontal treatments. -Reducing the Need for Extensive Dental Interventions: emphasizing proactive care to prevent advanced dental diseases and encouraging adherence to preventive measures. -Empowering Patients through Education: equipping individuals with knowledge about oral health, preventive practices, and the impact of lifestyle choices, fostering a sense of responsibility for their oral health. -Improving Overall Well-being: recognizing the interconnectedness of oral health with systemic health and collaborating with patients to create a comprehensive preventive dental care plan.

• Levels of prevention in dentistry: -Primary Prevention: aims to prevent the onset of dental diseases by eliminating or reducing risk factors before the disease manifests (e.g., community water fluoridation, promoting oral hygiene). -Secondary Prevention: focuses on early detection and treatment of diseases to prevent progression and minimize complications (e.g., regular check-ups, early interventions such as fluoride therapy). -Tertiary Prevention: manages and prevents the progression of advanced dental diseases and complications, aiming to restore oral health and function after the disease has developed. (e.g., restorative procedures like fillings, crowns, bridges, periodontal treatments, or prosthodontic interventions like implants or dentures).

• Approaches of Prevention (Individual vs. Community Approach: The individual approach focuses on high-risk individuals and commonly fits clinical approaches, while the community approach aims to reduce risk within a larger population through measures such as water fluoridation.

• Common approaches to prevention include an indicated approach (identifying individuals at risk), a targeted approach (identifying groups at risk), or a universal approach (addressing the entire population).

• Common Risk Factors: Diet, Stress, Control, Hygiene, Policy, Political environment, Physical environment, Social environment, Tobacco, Alcohol, Exercise, Injuries, and Housing

• The impact of dental caries on individuals: -Disability: refers to functional limitations and impairments caused by cavities or other oral health problems (e.g., pain, difficulties in chewing, speaking, maintaining oral hygiene). -Handicap: refers to social, economic, or personal disadvantages experienced by those with dental caries, including social interactions and employment/educational barriers -Rehabilitation: involves various interventions to restore oral health and function after the disease has developed.

Lecture Outline

• Definition of prevention in dentistry
• Objectives of prevention
• Levels of Prevention
• Prevention of dental diseases
• Impact of dental caries on individuals: Disability, handicap, rehabilitation

Methods of prevention for caries

• Reduce carbohydrate intake
• Control patterns of food consumption
• Artificial sweeteners (use with caution)
• Plaque control: Proper oral hygiene practices, including brushing and flossing.
• Fluoride treatments: Water fluoridation, fluoride toothpaste, fluoride mouthwash, and fluoride varnish.
• Fissure sealants
• Oral hygiene practices
• Dental prophylaxis (professional cleaning)
• Patient motivation

Rehabilitation

• Restorative Treatments: Dental fillings, crowns, or other restorative procedures to repair damaged teeth affected by caries.
• Prosthodontic Interventions: Replacement of missing teeth with dental implants, bridges, or dentures.
• Periodontal Treatments: Addressing gum disease (often a consequence of advanced caries), including scaling, root planning, and other procedures.
• Pain Management: Addressing pain associated with caries.
• Patient Education: Empowering individuals with knowledge and skills for maintaining oral health.

The impact of dental caries

• Disability: functional limitations, pain, difficulties in chewing, speaking, maintaining oral hygiene
• Handicap: social, economic, personal disadvantages
• Rehabilitation: restorative/prosthodontic procedures, periodontal therapy, treating and managing caries, and pain management.

Levels of Prevention

• Primary Prevention: action before disease (e.g., water fluoridation)
• Secondary Prevention: early detection and treatment to prevent disease progression (e.g., regular check-ups)
• Tertiary Prevention: managing advanced diseases and complications, restoring function

Oral Hygiene Measures

• Toothbrushes: soft bristles, small-headed, long handles with non-slip grip
• Dental floss: waxed or unwaxed
• Interdental brushes
• Single-tufted brushes
• Fluoride dentifrices: toothpastes, mouthrinses
• Other chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., chlorhexidine)
• Chewing gum as mechanical stimulant, providing antibacterial substances, and promote buffers to neutralize plaque acids.

Toothbrush Methods

• Bass Method
• Charter's Method
• Fones Method
• Leonard Method
• Stillman Method

Books to read

• Murray, Nunn, & Steele (2003). The prevention of oral disease.
• Daly et al. (2013). Essential Dental Public Health.
• Alison Chapman & Simon Felton (20XX/ latest): Basic Guide to Oral Health Education and Promotion, 3rd or latest edition.