Prevention of oral diseases: a general somatic approach

Abstract

Background. Oral diseases are among the top three causes of the global burden of disease. Numerous scientific studies indicate the relationship between oral diseases and major somatic diseases. However, oral diseases are often viewed as a local problem that is not related to the health of the whole body. The purpose of the study was to substantiate a general somatic approach to the oral health conservancy and recovery based on the analysis of the prevalence of somatic diseases associated with oral diseases, common causal factors of them; to propose strategies for their prevention (on the example of Ivano-Frankivsk region). Materials and me­thods. Data of state and healthcare sector statistics (units), scientific sources (units); bibliosemantic, comparative and statistical analysis; generalizations. Results. It was found that the highest level of prevalence of somatic diseases associated with oral diseases was among the population of working age (due to diseases of the endocrine system, in particular, diabetes mellitus and obesity, cardiovascular diseases, the respiratory system, in particular, asthma, digestive system, rheumatoid arthritis), the population of older age groups and adolescents, as well as among the rural population. Risk behavior of the region's population is a common risk factor for somatic diseases associated with oral diseases due to the high level of alcohol and sugar-containing products consumption, intensive smoking. The preventive programs development for the oral health conservancy and recovery as an important component of overall health has been substantiated. These programs should be complex, intersectoral and interdisciplinary. The program structure consists of population and individual strategies for the prevention of the somatic diseases associated with oral diseases among the population of a given territory. Conclusions. A somatic approach to the prevention of oral diseases will contribute to the formation of policies to integrate the oral health conservancy and recovery into the overall prevention policy in health care.