Dental public health

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Dental Public Health

Dental public health (pronunciation: /ˈdɛntəl ˈpʌblɪk hɛlθ/) is a branch of dentistry that deals with the prevention and control of dental diseases and promotion of oral health through organized community efforts.

Etymology

The term "dental public health" is derived from the words "dental" (from Latin dens, meaning 'tooth'), "public" (from Latin publicus, meaning 'of the people'), and "health" (from Old English hǣlth, meaning 'wholeness, a being whole, sound or well').

Related Terms

  • Oral health: Refers to the health of the mouth, which is integral to the overall health of an individual.
  • Preventive dentistry: The practice of caring for one's teeth to keep them healthy and prevent cavities, gum disease, enamel wear, and more.
  • Community dentistry: A branch of dentistry that is concerned with the dental health education of the public, with an emphasis on the prevention and control of dental diseases.
  • Epidemiology: The study and analysis of the distribution, patterns and determinants of health and disease conditions in defined populations.
  • Health promotion: The process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health.

Overview

Dental public health is a non-clinical specialty of dentistry involved in the assessment of dental health needs and improving the dental health of populations rather than individuals. It focuses on the prevention and control of dental diseases on a community-wide basis. Dental public health professionals promote oral health and disease prevention through organized community efforts. They often work in research, policy development, and community health improvement.

Importance

Dental public health plays a crucial role in the maintenance of overall health. Poor oral health can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Dental public health professionals work to educate the public about proper oral health practices and prevent oral health diseases.

See Also

External links

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