Dental Health Promotion for Adolescents in Africa

Abstract

Poor dental health in adults is usually due to poor dental care in childhood. The World Health Organization (WHO) and International Federation have defined objectives for dental health that will allow monitoring of progress in different countries. The WHO has encouraged all countries to develop programs of dental health promotion and education adapted to local conditions. health depends on oral hygiene nutrition continuous intake of fluoride and use of dental services. The main measures recommended are fluoridation of water salt and milk; reduced consumption of sweets and sugar; encouragement of dental hygiene practices and provision of regular dental care in schools or workplaces; and adoption of legislation to make some preventive measures mandatory. 12 African countries had national dental health programs by 1993. But dental health is seldom integrated into national health education policies and promotion of dental health usually results from local or regional initiatives at the instigation of professional associations. health promotion programs in Morocco Kenya Madagascar Ivory Coast Benin and Tanzania are briefly described. Moroccos IEC (information education and communication) program includes radio and television spots and various forms of written promotion. The Kenyan Association provides free dental care in schools and a media campaign during Dental Health Action Month. offices have been established in some 15 schools in a pilot program in Madagascar and dental education and screening benefited 27000 schoolchildren in the Ivory Coast between 1983 and 1996. Benin and Tanzania have opted for dental health promotion through primary health care programs. Few African countries have adopted community measures like fluoridation of the water supply. The WHO recommends promotion of traditional methods of dental hygiene where appropriate.