Prevention in Practice: Global and Population Health

Lecture given 11/6/2025

how do you change a lifestyle?

enhance awareness, increase motivation, change behavior, build skills, create opportunities that open access to environments that make positive health practices the easiest choice

what is optimal health?

a dynamic balance of physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual health

primary prevention

preventing the disease before it occurs

community water fluoridation, dental sealants, fluoride varnish

secondary prevention

aimed at early detection and prompt treatment

dental screenings, restorations to arrest the progress of disease

tertiary prevention

rehabilitating and restoring structure and function

major clinical dental care, denture fabrication for edentulous people

prevention

a biologic, environmental, behavioral, and/or social procress that is taken to prevent disease or limit its sequelae

primordial prevention

addresses underlying conditions leading to exposure to causative factors

comprehensive policies that discourage smoking, programs to promote physical activity, hand washing policies for food workers

what are the targets for healthy people 2030?

reduce opioid overdose fatalities, reduce use of e-cigs, increase focus on social determinants of health

what are social determinants of health?

economic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, social and community context

what can untreated dental caries lead to?

pain, eating difficulties, sleep disturbances, growth and development affected, interferes with learning

what are the benefits of dental screenings?

standardized data collection instrument, current oral health status/treatment urgency, use of past oral health services, ID needs and barriers to care, insight for multicultural populations, oral hygiene instruction, non-invasive

what are the limitations of dental screenings?

limited follow up, consent, may over assure or create anxiety

dental screening

designed for populations, determines normal v abnormal, outcome is to refer for exam or treatment, can be conducted anywhere

dental exam

designed for individuals, determines diagnosis, outcome is a treatment plan, conducted in a dental operatory

referral code 1

6 month recall, no decay or pathology

referral code 2

small cavities suspected, less than 5 surfaces decayed 

referral code 3

large cavities suspected, 5 or more surfaces decayed

referral code 4

needs to see dentist immediately, pain or infection present

fluoride varnish

decay prevention, most effective on smooth surfaces, remineralization of white spot lesions,

who are some training non-dental providers?

physicians, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, community outreach workers/educators

what are some ways of overcoming barriers to access to dental care?

dental suites, portable equipment, mobile equipment

what are advantages of dental suites?

most efficient equipment and setup, most effiicient use of dentist’s time

what are disadvantages of dental suites?

fixed location, less flexibility, may be less accessible for patients

what are advantages of portable equipment?

easy to transport, can go to where the patients are located

what are disadvantages of portable equipment?

needs to find appropriate space in every location, equipment is loud and not as efficient as fixed units, equipment not as sturdy

what are advantages of mobile equipment?

self contained

what are disadvantages of mobile equipment?

expensive to start up costs, additional upkeep of van, may need to employ a driver, can be difficult to find appropriate parking