Adult Dental Health Survey 2009: implications of findings for clinical practice and oral health policy

Abstract

This is the final paper in a series reporting on the results of the 2009 Adult Dental Health Survey. Since 1968 national adult surveys have been repeated every decade with broadly similar methods providing a unique overview of trends in oral health over a 40-year period. This paper aims to explore the implications for dentists and oral health policy of the key results from the Adult Dental Health Survey 2009. Although repeat, cross-sectional, epidemiological surveys provide very valuable data on trends in disease patterns, they do not provide answers to test causal relationships and therefore cannot identify the causes for the significant improvements in oral health over the last 40 years. Evidence would indicate, however, that broad societal shifts in population norms and behaviours, combined with changes in clinical diagnostic criteria, treatment planning and clinical procedures are the main reasons for the changes that have taken place. Key implications of the survey results include the need to monitor, support and maintain the good state of oral health of the increasing proportion of younger adults with relatively simple treatment needs. A smaller number of young and middle aged adults but a significant proportion of older adults will have far more complex treatment needs requiring advanced restorative and periodontal care. Future oral health policy will need to address oral health inequalities, encourage skill mix and promote and facilitate the dental profession to deliver appropriate and high quality care relevant to the needs of their local population.

Determining the optimal model for role substitution in NHS dental services in the UK: a mixed-methods study

“…2,9,11 However, social inequalities have remained relatively static, disease in young children remains intransigent (although geographical variations are evident) and there is a burgeoning group of older people who are now keeping their teeth for longer. 10,[62][63][64] In addition, approximately 45% of the adult population in England do not use NHS dental services routinely and much of the activity that is undertaken by NHS GDPs relates to band 1 (primarily check-ups without treatment) activity. 3 As population needs continue to change, there are increasing calls for the development of a NHS dental workforce that can best meet the emerging needs of these strata: maintaining the health of routine attenders, while freeing up resources to increase the capacity to care and reduce social inequalities in oral health.…”

Enhanced skills in periodontology: pilot evaluation

“…It is clear that the training of dentists and dental hygienists/therapists, with some adaptation for prior learning (or lack of it) has much to contribute to all participants and should be continued in future initiatives. Given the level of periodontal need among adults, 58 and our ageing population, consideration should be given to 'extended skills training' nationally, using both dental care professionals and dentists which is in line with emerging guidance on using enhanced skills. 5 The strength of this research relates to the range of data from the mixed methods approach and the willingness of participants to share both the negative and positive aspects of this pilot scheme.…”

Design and Implementation of the Remote Wireless Intraoral Endoscope System

“…Common oral disease such as dental caries and periodontal diseases are mostly chronic diseases. The incipient symptoms of these diseases are relatively not obvious, which are prone to be neglected by people [2] [3]. Intraoral endoscopes are the indispensable tools for dentists [4], which is composed of a camera system and a display system, through which the photos of the intraoral condition can be collected and transmitted to the monitors.…”