Oral health needs: how may they be met?

Oral health has improved greatly since the early 1970s due to a decline in dental caries, largely attributed to the inclusion of fluoride in toothpaste. Improvements are most evident in children and young adults. Variations in oral health persist, however, with those from lower socio-economic groups having most disease. Dental caries and periodontal diseases continue to have significant impact on oral health, along with conditions such as oral cancer and tooth wear. Community nurses play a valuable role in providing oral health and facilitating access to appropriate dental services where signs or symptoms of oral disease exist. General dental practitioners remain the main providers of primary dental care with community and salaried dental services providing a complimentary service, focusing on patients with ‘special needs’ in the community. The main messages for the prevention of oral disease stress a healthy diet, good mouth hygiene, the use fluoride and regular dental visits.