By Dr Hidayathulla Shaikh
Objectives
 At the end of lecture student should be able to
 Know what is Dental Public Health
 Define Health
 Mention functions of Public Health Dentist
 Enumerate stages in public health and clinical practice
INTRODUCTION
• From the earliest times ancient Egyptians used a variety of
remedies to treat the diseases of the mouth.
• Prevention of oral diseases dates back to the period of
Hippocrates.
• Dentistry became more organized as a profession due to the
effort of many individuals, associations and regulations in the
later part of the 19th century.
HISTORY OF DENTISTRY
Stages of Evolution of Dentistry
Stage I
Stage II
Stage III
Stage IV
Stage V
:
:
:
:
:
Undifferentiated occupation
Differential occupation
Initial professionalization
Intermediate professionalization
Advanced professionalization
Stages I: Undifferentiated occupation. In this stage,
diseases of teeth were abandoned to their own courses.. A few
individuals devote some time to the performance of simple
dental operations by simple methods.
StageII:Differential occupation:
Indigenous practitioners emerged in this stage, without any type
of formal training, who devotes entire time for the practice of
dentistry. There was no restriction by the government for the
practice of dentistry.
Stage III: Initial professionalization:
Dentists formed an association, organize a course of formal
training for a period of 6 months to 2 years. It is in this stage
profession comes into being. Restrictive legislation is enacted in
the interest of the people at large.
Stage IV: Intermediate professionalization.
Independent dental schools are established with increased course
duration with the minimum requirement for admission being
secondary education
Stage V: Advanced professionalization.
Dentistry becomes recognized as a health profession with an
increasing emphasis on biological sciences. Dentistry becomes
strongly organized and institutionalized. Postgraduate education
develops into number of dental specialties. Dental practice by
unqualified personnel disappears.
Definition of Health
 “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social
well being and not merely an absence of disease or
infirmity”
What Dental Public Health Does:
• Prevent epidemics and the spread of disease
• Protect against environmental hazards
• Prevent injuries
• Promote and encourage healthy behaviors and mental health
• Respond to disasters and assist communities in recovery
• Assures the quality and accessibility of health services
STAGES OF
PRACTICE.
CLINICAL
AND
PUBLIC
HEALTH
 Individual clinical practice
 Public health Practice
 Examination
 Assessment of need
 Diagnosis
 Analysis of data
 Treatment planning
 Program planning
 Informed consent for planning
 Ethics and planning approval
 Appropriate mix of care, cure
 Program implementation
and prevention.
 Payment for services
 Evaluation
 Types of finance
 Appraisal and review.
SCIENCE AND DISCIPLINES UNDER DENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH
 Epidemiology.
 Health promotion.
 Biostatistics.
 Sociology and Psychology.
 Health Economies
 Health services management and planning.
 Demography.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES IN PLANNING DENTAL CARE
• To establish rapport by listening and talking to the patient.
• To define patient’s requirements by taking case history.
• To make a diagnosis and prognosis by means by case history, examination
and investment.
• To plan a comprehensive treatment tailored according to the status and
needs of the patient.
• To organize the care to be provided by listing the needs in a logical
sequence and referral as appropriate.
• To established that patient has achieved a state of dental stability and to plan
periodic recall and re evaluation.
Functions of Public Health Dentist
1) Program administration
2) Preventive, Diagnostic and Corrective services
3) Program promotion and consultative services
4) Public health training and teaching
5) Dental health education and information
6) Research and study projects.
CONCLUSION
•Dentistry is in the state of flux witnessing the growth of the profession
from the stage of undifferentiated profession to advanced
professionalization.
•New concepts are accepted in place of the old dogmas.
• Advancement in material and technology has made treatment more
conservative and aesthetic but comes at a cost that a few can afford.
•Profound changes are needed not only in the type of care offered but
also in the way providers are trained, employed, supervised and
supported to face the challenges in oral health in the new millennium.
Evaluation pattern
Type
Distribution
Percentage
In course continuous assessment
Behavior & Attitude
5%
Research
3%
Home work
2%
Presentation
2%
Quiz
3%
Practical Assessment
25%
Midterm Written Exam
20%
60
Final Exam
Final Written Exam
30%
Final Practical Exam
10%
Total
40
100
Books to be referred:
1. S.S. Hiremath. Text Book of Preventive and Community
Dentistry. 2nd edition, 2007.
2. Soben peter. Essentials of Preventive and Community
Dentistry, 2nd edition.
3. K Park, Text Book of Preventive and Social Medicine, 23rd
edition.