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Oral Health (Dentistry) Program
Oral health and preventative dental care is necessary for every individual and plays a vital role in maintaining overall health in children and adults. Dental care is usually overseen by a general dentist who is trained in evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment planning in all areas related to the teeth and gums. Dentistry also has nine specialty fields which are recognized by the American Dental Association. A dentist's support team aides in providing oral health services and may include dental assistants, dental hygienists, dental technicians, and dental therapists.
Dental care has many purposes beyond maintaining an attractive smile. The purpose of regular screenings is to identify normal versus abnormal oral conditions and to make recommendations for care or treatment. While preventive care is a focus of most dentistry, treatment or intervention is often necessary. The majority of dental treatments are related to the most common oral diseases which are dental caries (tooth decay) and periodontal disease (gum disease or pyorrhea).
Preventive steps of having teeth professionally cleaned, using the right toothbrush and toothpaste, flossing, and other methods promoting oral hygiene will be discussed in a dental program. Research has also established a link between oral health and overall health. Many systemic diseases have oral manifestations, including swollen gums, mouth ulcers, dry mouth and/or excessive gum problems. Regular oral examinations may assist a dentist in diagnosing a health problem in its early stages. Some of the systemic diseases that may be linked to oral health include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, certain cancers, leukemia and kidney disease. Scheduled dental visits are important in recognizing developments that may help prevent other health issues such as oral and facial pain, improper jaw alignment, poor nutrition, mouth infections, oral cancer and problems with digestion.
- Nutritional counseling
- Educational programs
