DH225 Community Health Exam #1

What is the main focus of public health?

Improving and protecting the health of populations and communities

How does public health differ from private clinical care?

Public health focuses on populations and prevention; private clinical care focuses on individual patients

What are the three essential domains of public health?

Health protection, disease prevention, and health promotion

What is assessment in public health?

Identifying and monitoring community health needs; a process of care that analyzes the program's target group and resources

What is policy development in public health?

Creating strategies and policies to address identified health needs

What is assurance in public health?

Ensuring needed health services are available and accessible

What is primary prevention?

employment of strategies and agents to forestall the onset of disease, reverse its progress, or arrest its process before treatment becomes necessary; preventing disease before it begins

Give an example of primary prevention in dentistry.

Dental sealants or community water fluoridation

What is secondary prevention?

Routine treatment methods to terminate a disease process and/or restore tissues to as near normal as possible and can be termed restorative care; detecting and treating disease in its early stages

Give an example of secondary prevention in dentistry.

Early disease detection or fluoride applied to early demineralization

What is tertiary prevention?

Strategy to replace lost tissues through rehabilitation; restoring function or replacing tissues after disease or damage has occurred

Give an example of tertiary prevention in dentistry.

Dentures or implants used to replace lost teeth

Why can fluoride fit more than one level of prevention?

Its classification depends on why and when it is being used

What factors can affect access to dental care?

Cost, transportation, provider availability, insurance, geography, culture, and workforce issues

What are oral health disparities?

Differences in oral health status or access that disproportionately affect some populations

Which populations may experience greater oral health disparities?

Examples include low-income, rural, and minority populations

Who was John Snow?

A public health pioneer associated with cholera investigation and modern epidemiology

What is the overall emphasis of community dental health?

Prevention and control of oral disease through organized community efforts; oral health care and education with an emphasis on the utilization of the dental hygiene sciences to deliver care to a target population.

Why is prevention central to dental hygiene?

Dental hygiene was developed with a strong focus on preventing disease and educating patients and communities

Who was Dr. Alfred Fones?

A key figure in the development of the dental hygiene profession

Who was Irene Newman?

The first dental hygienist trained by Dr. Alfred Fones

What is the ADHA?

The national professional association representing dental hygienists

What are some common preventive dental modalities?

Fluoride, sealants, oral cancer screening, nutrition counseling, mouthguards, education, and health promotion

What is the purpose of community water fluoridation?

To help prevent dental caries at the population level

What is the purpose of dental sealants?

To help prevent caries in susceptible pits and fissures

How is tobacco use related to oral health?

It is associated with periodontal disease and oral/pharyngeal cancer

What is a dental hygienist's role in tobacco cessation?

Screening, educating patients, and promoting cessation efforts

What does need mean in dental care delivery?

A professional judgment of the amount and type of healthcare services required to attain or maintain health.

What does demand mean in dental care delivery?

The care or services people want or seek; particular or desired frequency of dental care by a population.

What does utilization mean in dental care delivery?

The dental services that are actually used

What does supply mean in dental care delivery?

The providers and services that are available

Why can demand and utilization be different?

Number of dental care services actually consumed, not just desired.

What is the general role of HHS?

A major federal department responsible for health-related programs and public health activities

What is the general role of NIH/NIDCR in oral health?

Conducting and supporting oral health research

What is the general role of the FDA in dentistry?

Regulating dental materials, equipment, medications, and related products

What is the general role of the CDC in oral health?

Disease prevention, surveillance, and public health monitoring

What is the general role of the Indian Health Service (IHS)?

Providing health and dental services for American Indian and Alaska Native populations

What is the general role of HRSA?

Supporting health access and workforce programs, including the National Health Service Corps

What is the general role of CMS?

Administering major federal health coverage programs such as Medicare and Medicaid

What is the general role of the VA in dental care?

Providing dental care to eligible veterans

What are common barriers to dental care?

Cost or lack of insurance, transportation, provider shortages, fear or anxiety, and geography

How can workforce changes affect access to dental care?

Expanding or changing provider roles can increase the availability of services

Why is oral health considered part of overall health?

Oral health is an integral component of total health and well-being

What organization plays a major role in global health surveillance and data?

World Health Organization (WHO)

Why is surveillance important in global oral health?

It helps track disease patterns and supports planning and evaluation

What does the DMFT index measure?

Dental caries experience using decayed, missing, and filled teeth

What does the Community Periodontal Index (CPI) assess?

Periodontal conditions in populations

What factors can affect access to oral health care globally?

Workforce shortages, geography, resources, economics, education, and health systems

Why is professional regulation important?

It helps support quality and safety in patient care

What is general supervision?

The dentist authorizes care but does not need to be physically present

What does independent practice mean in a supervision model?

The hygienist may provide permitted services without dentist supervision, depending on the jurisdiction

What is advocacy?

Supporting or speaking for a cause, policy, patient, or community need

How can a dental hygienist act as an advocate?

By promoting prevention, access to care, programs, or policies that improve oral health

What is a change agent?

A person who helps initiate, support, or facilitate change

What does a catalyst do as a change agent?

Helps motivate or stimulate others toward change

What does a resource linker do as a change agent?

Connects people or groups with useful resources

What is planned change?

A purposeful process used to identify a need, plan action, implement change, and evaluate results

What is a coalition?

An alliance of groups or individuals working toward a common goal or change

What are common barriers to successful coalitions?

Funding problems, leadership issues, poor communication, turf concerns, and limited community involvement

What is public policy?

Written rules, regulations, or stipulations that guide decisions and actions

What is lobbying?

An effort to influence or sway public policy or legislation

What is collaboration?

Working together toward a common goal

What is an MOU?

A formal written agreement between parties that is not legally binding

How can grants support community oral health?

They can provide funding and resources for programs designed to address community needs