Research defines public dental health promotion in youth

Abstract

In the Netherlands, Dental Public Health Service workers work in the healthcare delivery system to promote dental health. Since 1994, research has been conducted in Flevoland on the condition of children's teeth. This research has shaped the content of the dental health promotion directed at children in this region. The research comprises two parts: questionnaires for parents and children above the age of 12 and a dental examination of children aged 6 and 12 in the regional primary schools. The dental examination registers the health of the children's teeth. Sound teeth are defined as being free of visible caries and/or restoration. Not sound teeth show at least one case of visible caries and/or restoration. The research results have shown great dental differences between the various schools and between municipalities. The percentage of children with sound teeth ranges between 28 and 100 per school. Based on the final results of the research, an information pack will be disseminated. In the case of high-risk schools the dental health promotion will be conducted more intensively. The Dental Public Health Service workers will give information sessions to groups of parents and children, the dentist and the dental hygienist will provide individual information and prevention. At the child health clinic (consultatiebureau), education will be provided to parents of children ranging in age from 0 to 4. This combined approach has proven to be effective on a large majority of the children. To ensure uniform dental health promotion, information protocols are used in these promotion activities within Flevoland.