Chapters authored
Oral Health and Prevention in Older Adults
The most prevalent oral diseases such as tooth decay and chronic periodontitis, are the main responsible for tooth loss, this causes a disability in the chewing function, which alters the selection of food, the pleasure of eating, and the state of nutrition. Even the use of total prostheses to replace this loss is not always satisfactory. In the emotional sphere, poor oral health causes discomfort and a decrease in self-esteem. Unfortunately, this continues to occur in older people despite the great scientific and technological advances in dentistry today. Health promotion, which includes health education and prevention, must be present in the course of people’s lives. In the prevention of oral diseases, consider not only biological factors as the only causes, but also alleviate and modify the social determinants of the disease. All those involved in the care of the older adults must promote prevention as the most important tool in favor of oral health, and make older people enjoy life with quality. Oral health is an invaluable asset and reward at this stage of life.
Part of the book: Oral Health Care
Perspective Chapter: Oral Health and Community Prevention in Children
The child population is the most affected by the presence of caries. A preventable disease, which causes pain and school absenteeism, generates a significant expense in its treatment. If left untreated, it causes early tooth loss and malocclusion. Altering the quality of life at an early age leaves sequels. Primary care is essential in the prevention of oral diseases. Contact with the health team in first-level medical units, which begins during pregnancy and continues in the following stages of the child, plays an important role in its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Across the health system, these primary care practitioners play an important role in children oral health which includes provide preventive care, referral to dentists or dental care providers and caries risk assessment. This team will know how to refer the child to the dentist specialized in the treatment. This strategy largely represents community prevention. To this must be added the family, and the school, making use of the promotion of oral health in favor of children. Efforts to prevent childhood dental caries cannot only focus on individuals and their biology and behaviors individually. It should consider the backup determinants of children’s dental health as well.
Part of the book: Pediatric Dentistry