Strategies for community oral health promotion

Abstract

This article presents a provider’s perspective of realistic strategies for community oral health promotion in an inner-city area of South-East London, reflecting on ethical issues which are often overlooked. Strategies discussed include the provision of training for those health professionals who are in a position to give oral health advice and information in their contact with people. Maintaining such alliances will also facilitate a common risk factor approach to the promotion of oral health taking regard of the ‘whole person’ rather than a ‘healthy mouth’. A strategy of prioritising oral health education to those children having high levels of disease is not straightforward and it is important to understand its limitations to address the social problems inherent in these environments. Finally, the public health measure of fluoridating water supplies, perhaps most effective strategy for oral health to reduce inequalities in oral health, is discussed. Community nurses are encouraged to include oral health within their general health promoting work in order to affect the social inequalities evident in the experience of dental disease.