Preventive Medicine DENT1006 Quiz

Course Information

• Course title: Preventive Medicine & Introduction to Public Oral and Dental Health
• Course code: DENT1006
• Lecturer: Pelin Ece Balaban, DDS
• Affiliation: Bahçeşehir University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics
• Contact: [email protected]

Learning Resources

• S. S. Hiremath (2016): Textbook of Public Health Dentistry 3rd Ed, Elsevier
• Joseph John (2018): Textbook of Preventive and Community Dentistry, Public Health Dentistry 3rd Ed CBS Publishers
• C.M. Marya (2011): A Textbook of Public Health Dentistry, Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers

Learning Outcomes

• Learn primary health care
• Classify the principles of primary health care
• Identify the origin of primary health care
• Define the implications of primary health care
• Learn the components of primary health care

Concept of Primary Health Care

• The conventional health model (based on symptoms and treatment) was questioned due to substantial cost, and lack of consideration for social, political, economic, educational, and psychological determinants of health.
• There was a rise in chronic diseases (like drug addiction, alcoholism, cardiovascular diseases) linked to dependency, poverty, and lifestyles.

Origin of Primary Health Care

• The concept of primary health care was established in 1978 following a WHO-UNICEF international conference.
• The conference was held in Alma-Ata, former Soviet Union.
• The conference proposed integrating community-level factors for improving population health.
• The conference aimed for universal health by 2000; thus primary health care was deemed key.

Criticism of Alma-Ata Declaration

• It was criticized for being too broad, idealistic, and unrealistic.
• The "Health for all by 2000" slogan was deemed not achievable.

Definition of Primary Health Care (WHO/UNICEF, 1978)

• Primary health care is essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound, and socially acceptable methods and technology.
• This should be universally accessible to individuals and families within the community.
• It should be affordable and maintainable throughout the community and country’s development, based on self-reliance and self-determination.

Components of Primary Health Care

• Education: Identify prevalent health problems and prevention/control methods.
• Food promotion: Promote food supply and balanced nutrition.
• Water/Sanitation: Ensure adequate supply of safe water and basic sanitation
• Maternal/Child Health: Provide maternal and child health care, including family planning.
• Immunization: Provide immunization against major infectious diseases.
• Treatment: Provide appropriate treatment for common illnesses and injuries.
• Essential Drugs: Provide essential medicines
• Prevention: Prevent and control locally endemic diseases

Principles of Primary Health Care

• Equitable distribution: Equitable distribution of healthcare resources by government.
• Community involvement/participation: Engaging non-professional community members in planning and implementation.
• Focus on prevention/health promotion: Recognize risk factors and empowering individuals to improve health, rather than focusing on treatment.
• Appropriate technology: Relying on resources the community can afford.
• Multisectoral approach: Collaborating with institutions beyond the healthcare sector to tackle broader issues that impact health, like social, economical, agriculture and education.

Implications

• Pursue partnership with the community to enable greater community participation and overall development.
• Evaluation and research: Gain important information and data to support effective actions and policies.
• Reform existing pedagogy: Change perspectives on delivery of healthcare to focus on achieving health outcomes, rather than an approach of delivery.
• Begin with self: Professionals taking the initiative to improve equity and promote oral health in the community.

Issues and Considerations

• Countries with better primary care provisions have greater patient satisfaction and improved health indicators, even at lower cost.
• Despite resources, some areas in developing countries still lack primary care providers, particularly inner cities and rural areas.