Strategjia e promovimit shëndetësor oral në Republikën e Kosovës

Abstract

Dental caries is one of the diseases with the highest preva- lence in children worldwide. According to the data collect- ed by the Clinic of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry on the prevalence of caries in preschool and school age chil- dren of Kosovo, it is evidenced for a high level of the pres- ence of caries. Every disease, which has a wide distribution, and which is influenced by social conditions, besides being a health problem for the patient, is also a public problem at the same time. Since treatment services are not able to act efficiently in dental diseases, then other options, mainly of a preventive nature, should be considered. Recently, more and more priority is given to oral health promotion initia- tives. Health promotion offers opportunities to influence the main determinants of oral health and thus improve oral health in all segments of society. This involves a range of strategies, one of which may be health education. The success of health promotion depends greatly on the devel- opment of the cooperation of a large number of subjects, from the involved population, dental professionals and lo- cal and state institutions. In the strategy for the promotion of oral health in Kosovo, based on our conditions, changing behaviors in improving oral hygiene and reducing intake of sweet food should be considered as a priority during oral health promotion activities.