Dental
diseases is among one of the most prevalent chronic illness that has a direct
impact on the social, physical, and psychological well being of our society. Per
the Center of Disease Control and prevention (2014) “Periodontal disease and
tooth decay are the two biggest threats to dental health.” This condition could
affect all ages and all socio-economic layers, but the most affected are the under served groups. The ranges of this condition begins affecting children early
in life in a form of caries developing later into periodontal conditions to
more serious conditions.
Oral
Health determinants are those that affect the general health and well being of
individuals. Factors such as economic, environmental and social conditions
determines oral health knowledge and behavior. Oral diseases share risk factors
with other chronic conditions in particular, poor diet is a principal cause of
tooth decay. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (2014)
identifies tobacco as main contributor to gum disease and oral cancer. Tooth
decay (caries) is one of the most prevalent chronic condition.
Reduction
of tooth decay in the last 30 years has been due to fluoridation and toothpaste
availability. Our children have less tooth decay than their parents did at that
age, but this condition is still 5 times more prevalent than asthma. Per the
Center of Disease Control and prevention (2014) tooth decay left untreated
cause pain that will produce issues with eating, speaking, playing, and
learning. Risks factors for tooth decay include high sugar diet as soda pop,
carbonated beverages, plaque buildup, and poor dental hygiene, minimal or low
exposure to fluoride, low income, and smoking, among others.
The
major contributing factor to periodontal disease (gum) is plaque but there are
other conditions, which are: age, smoking/tobacco use, genetics, drugs,
medications, stress, clenching/grinding teeth, obesity, poor diet, and other
systemic diseases. As tooth decay is ignored and the condition continues to
advance to the gum, an increase of bacteria starts to invade the mucosa of the
gum and produces infection. This infection may cause damage of the root of the
tooth or the jaw bone and eventually affecting other organs of the body by
lowering the immune system and increasing the risk of overwhelming infections. The
Center of Disease Control and Prevention (2011) states that gum disease may
damage other parts and be associated with other health issues such as diabetes,
heart disease, stroke, premature birth, and more.
Education
and early habit forming has been proven to be effective and affordable way of
prevention. Implementation of a health care initiative in oral health would
start at pediatrician offices with oral checks and dental care education,
followed by yearly checks of a dental hygienist from elementary school to high
school. Another aspect of the initiative is to continue to use public water
fluoridation in all states and educate the population that use well water.
References
American Academy of
Periodontology (2014). Gum Disease Risk Factors. Retrieved from
http://www.perio.org/consumer/risk-factors
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (2013). Preventing Dental Caries with
Community Programs. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/factsheets/dental_caries.htm
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Preventing Cavities, Gum Disease,
Tooth Loss, and Oral Cancers. Oral Health. Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/doh.htm
Images
and graphics retrieved from
https://www.google.com/search?q=dental+health&rlz=1C1CHWA_enUS625US626&espv=2&biw=1080&bih=622&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=V-f3VPmxMom7ogTch4LQDg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg&dpr=2
National Institute of Dental
and Craniofacial Research (2014). Retrieved from
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/DataStatistics/SurgeonGeneral/sgr/part1.htm
You did a great job on your blog. Your comment regarding fluoridation is of special interest to me. I am from the Bennington, Vermont area and I like to remain abreast of the news from home. Just recently, a community vote was held to decide on fluoridation of the community's water (Whitcomb Jr. & Carson, 2015). Fluoridation was not supported with a vote of 1,539 versus the 1,117 supporters (Whitcomb Jr. & Carson, 2015).
ReplyDeleteIn 2012, community members developed the Bennington Oral Health Coalition (Whitcomb Jr. & Carson, 2015). The ballot question was a result of the coalition's desire to address the community's oral health needs (Whitcomb Jr. & Carson, 2015). The coalition worked to educate the community regarding the benefits of fluoridation and how a small investment in the community's dental well-being could improve public health and reduce the economic costs related to invasive dental care and lost work days (Whitcomb Jr. & Carson, 2015). Community members who did not support the fluoridation effort joined together and formed the "Bennington Citizens Against Fluoridated Water" (Whitcomb Jr. & Carson, 2015, para. 7). The objections are not clearly stated in the article. One comment described fluoridation as being administered medication without consent (Whitcomb Jr. & Carson, 2015).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2013) provides an overview of the evidence-based literature surrounding the safety of fluoridated community water. I found the CDC review of the history of fluoridation in the United States interesting (2013). The initial fluoride recommendations were set at 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams per liter by the U.S. Public Health Service in 1962 (CDC, 2013). In 2010, the Department of Health and Human Services developed new fluoride recommendation of 0.7 milligrams per liter (CDC, 2013). The lowered recommendation was due to the availability of fluoride products (toothpaste, rinse, supplements, and topical products) (CDC, 2013). Interestingly, when I reviewed the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (2013) data, 4.0 milligram per liter is their enforceable level.
Colleen
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013, July 10). Community water fluoridation. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/safety/systematic.htm
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2013, July 23). Basic information about fluoride in drinking water. Retrieved from http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/basicinformation/fluoride.cfm
Whitcomb Jr., K., & Carson, D. (2015, March 4). Bennington voters reject fluoridation. Retrieved from http://vtdigger.org/2015/03/04/bennington-voters-reject-fluoridation/
Hello Colleen,
ReplyDeleteThank you for answering our post with such an interesting topic.
In module 8 I had posted a question and answer about this topic, please see below;
Currently not all states have agreed to fluoridate water supplies because there is a controversy of medicating without proper consent and the possibility of other health repercussions. Should we obtain a consent for treatment? Should the consent include a clause that states that treatment should be continued throughout life?
Fluoridation per the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (2013) is an inexpensive way to prevent caries and has been used for 65 years, of which they refered to as one of the 10th greatest accomplishments of public health. In 2012, 74.6% of the population on public water had fluoridated water and the cost was estimated that for every one dollar spent saves 38.00 dollars in cost savings. Even though benefits are well justified there are some movements against fluoridation like Fluoride Action Network that argues that there could be potential ethical and physical repercussions. As an example of ethical repercussions, the national conference of state legislatures states the fact that with the fluoridation of water the government is medicating the population without consent.
It make sense that the dose of recommended fluoride in public water is decreasing due to the availability of this compound in oral care products. What is interesting is that we buy these products and do not give consent for treatment.
References
Center of disease control and prevention. (2013). Community Water Fluoridation. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/statistics/index.htm
National Conference of State Legislatures. (2015). Children Oral Health. Retrieved from http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/childrens-oral-health-policy-issues-overview.aspx
Thanks again,
Neydi