community dental health
...ference is that community focuses on disease prevention on a much broader scale, and individual plans hope to enforce self-responsibility. In my own words, community water fluoridation means the amount of fluoride necessary to help protect the community from dental disease. It is the most cost effective preventive measure because the entire population benefits regardless of financial resources, does not depend on access to dental services, and prevents some restorative work from having to be done. Three school based prevention programs are, fluoride tablets, fluoride mouth rinse, and dental sealants. Tablets: Method for administering systemic fluoride Chew for 30 seconds, then swish for 30 and swallow Advantage is that it takes only a few minutes Disadvantage is that it has to be done daily Mouth rinse: Grades 1 and up 10 ml of fl., rinse for 60 sec., expectorate Advantage performed weekly Disadvantage is the chance it may be swallowed Sealants: Focus on 6-8 yr olds and 12-14 yr due to eruption of perm. molars Advantage, prevent occlusal caries Disadvantage application must be done by professional and its imperative that saliva does not contaminate procedure The dental profession may help prevent orofacial injuries by administering motorcycle and bicycle helmet laws, provide protective mouthguards for sports, and promote the use of safe playground equipment. Health education is the overall experience of learning about health c...