Questions
PREVENTION OF DENTAL CARIES THROUGH THE EFFECTIVE USE OF FLUORIDE – THE PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH
Questions
Given a global perspective, are the problems related to dental caries are largely solved now?
qa. Dental caries continues to be a major public health problem to countries across the world and is now increasing rapidly in developing countries; qb. Because of dentistry, dental caries is now a limited problem to people around the globe; qc. Essentially, we have no effective strategies to tackle the burden of dental caries among people; qd. The burden of dental caries is more or less of same magnitude in Eastern Europe as in Western Europe.
Is fluoride is of great benefit to avoid dental caries? qa. Yes, years of research have shown high scientific evidence of fluoride for the prevention of dental caries; qb. Fluoride is harmful to the health of people and should be avoided; qc. It is helpful that we have information on the internet on the negative impact of fluoride; qd. People will suffer from dental caries no matter what.
What is the recommendation made by WHO in relation to fluoride?
qa. The use of fluoride should be restricted because it is unhealthy; qb. The use of fluoride is a cost-effective approach for public health; qc. The use of fluoride-containing toothpaste is good but the fluoride concentration does not matter; qd. Children and pregnant women should avoid fluoride for the prevention of dental caries.
Do we have to accept social inequalities in dental caries?
qa. In dentistry we have no effective means to reduce the health gap between poor and wealthy people; qb. Automatic fluoridation( water, salt or milk) is a most equitable approach which is recommendable in public health; qc. Social inequality is not of concern to dentistry; we should just take proper care of our patients; qd. If poor or low educated people just cleaned their teeth properly, they would have a dental status comparable to the standard of wealthy and highly educated people.
140 STOMA. EDUJ( 2016) 3( 2)