Oral Health the Importance of Prevention

Oral Health:The Importance of PreventionPresented to: CHNA 22

March 1, 20131Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health: May, 2000Focused on the relationship between oral health and overall good health throughout life

Identified a "silent epidemic" of dental and oral diseases that burden some population groups

Significant disparity between racial and socioeconomic groups regarding oral health and ensuing overall health issues

Source: Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General @http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/datastatistics/surgeongeneral/report/executivesummary.htm

2National Call for ActionThe Surgeon General called for action to promote access to oral health care for all Americans, especially disadvantaged and minority children found to be at greatest risk for severe medical complications resulting from minimal oral care and treatment

Source: Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General @http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/datastatistics/surgeongeneral/report/executivesummary.htm

3The Oral Health of Massachusetts Children: 2008Progress has been achieved in improving oral health, on average, by reducing:number of cavitiespercent of children with untreated decay, andthe number of children who have received dental sealants.Dental disease continues to be a significant health issue for many children at an unacceptable level for such a preventable disease.

Significant disparities also exist related to race and ethnicity, income status, and where children live.

Source: Oral Health of Massachusetts Children, 2008, DentaQuest Institute4Dental Disease is a Serious Health Issue for Massachusetts Children

Source: Oral Health of Massachusetts Children, 2008, DentaQuest Institute5

More Untreated Decay Among Racial and Ethnic Minority ChildrenMean number of teeth with untreated decay among children with untreated decay1.9MA Average2.52.2Source: Oral Health of Massachusetts Children, 2008, DentaQuest Institute6Key FindingsAmong kindergarten children with untreated decay, on average, each child had 2.5 decayed teeth. An average of 3 teeth among non-Hispanic Black kindergarten childrenAn average of 2.9 teeth among Hispanic kindergarten childrenAmong 3rd grade children with untreated decay, on average, each child had 2.2 decayed teeth.2.7 teeth with untreated decay among non-Hispanic children of other races2.6 decayed teeth among Hispanic 3rd grade children compared with 1.9 decayed teeth among non-Hispanic white 3rd grade children.1.4 times higher among Hispanic 3rd grade children than non-Hispanic white 3rd grade children.Among 6th grade adolescents with untreated decay, on average, each adolescent had 1.9 decayed teeth.An average of 3 teeth among non-Hispanic Black 6th grade adolescentsKey FindingsDental disease is a significant health issue for children in Massachusetts Most common chronic childhood disease Affects many children before kindergartenMany school children are in painSignificant oral health disparitiesRacial and ethnic minority childrenChildren from low-income familiesAcross countiesPrevention that is equitable is essential

Source: The Oral Health of Massachusetts Children, January 2008, DentaQuest Institute

7What Is Community Water Fluoridation? The adjustment either down or up of the level of fluoride in the water supply to maximize the cavity prevention benefitMost water supplies contain trace amounts of fluoride.Water systems are considered naturally fluoridated when the natural level of fluoride is greater than 0.7 parts per million (ppm). Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention @http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/

8Benefits of FluoridationCWF is socially equitable does not discriminate

Population based prevention

Consumers receive continuous protection

Cost-effective

It does not require individuals to gather in a central location (e.g. immunization)

9Massachusetts Fluoride StatusCWF is socially equitable does not discriminate

Population based prevention

Consumers receive continuous protection

Cost-effective

It does not require individuals to gather in a central location (e.g. immunization)

10 A New England community water fluoridation campaign: Using social marketing and community mobilization for policy change

11A New England community water fluoridation campaign: OverviewDentaQuest FoundationHealth Resources in Action (HRiA)New approach in oral health: social marketing and community mobilizationNew England-wide competitive grant processVermont: Vermont Oral Health Coalition and Upper Valley Oral Health Coalition Massachusetts: Better Oral Health for Massachusetts Coalition and CHNA 22

12Why Community Coalitions?Address new and broader issuesDevelop widespread support for issuesEncourage collaborative problem solvingCreate culturally relevant solutionsMaximize the power of individualsProvide more cost effective and coordinated services minimize duplication of servicesLeverage additional/new resourcesIncrease communication within community

13Why Social Marketing?Applies marketing techniques to the advancement of social causeFocuses on the audience of the effortTakes into account an audiences values, needs, and challengesDemonstrates to the audience the benefit they will receive for the cost they expend (changing or adopting a behavior).Address new and broader issuesDevelop widespread support for issuesCreate culturally relevant solutionsIncrease communication within community

14DISCUSSION

15Thank you!

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