Dental health education and promotion in the Ministry of Health schools dental programme, Jamaica

The study was carried out to assess the current status of the Dental Health Education/Promotion within the School Dental Health Programme of the Ministry of Health, Jamaica. Sixty-four (64) Dental Nurses and forty-eight (48) Dental Assistants representing fifty percent (50 percent) of the Dental Auxillary staff from all four (4) health regions made up the sample. The population was stratified geographically by region and then categorically (Dental Nurses and Dental Assistants). The systematic random sampling method was used to select fifty percent (50 percent) of each category in each region. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect the data. Among the major constraints identified were lack of up-to-date material and equipment for health promotion activities and a demotivated staff. The results indicated that regardless of the constraints, the Dental Health Programme was continuous in all types of schools, the clinic facility and the community. Most (81.4 percent) staff did one or two dental health education session per week. These sessions were mostly done through specially arranged classes, most frequently using the lecture method. The elements of health promotion identified were Preventative Resin Restoration (PRR), Prophylaxis, Sealant, Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART), Diet Conunselling, Plaque Control, and Topical Fluoride Treatment. There is little progress in these areas due largely to lack of equipment and material ... The motivation for production was based more on numerical target that needs assessment. A national salt fluoridation programme has been in effect for more than a decade. Results of the programme are remarkable, reducing the number of Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) in 12 year olds from 6.7 to 1.2 in 10 years. This success has to me maintained and can only de done through the political will of the nation to enhance the Schools' Health Education/Promotion Programme done by the Auxiliaries. ... There is no doubt that future preventive promotional strategies will depend increasingly on government policies, in addition to individual effort and a collaborative approach involving non-dental personal and other sectors of society(AU)

Oral Health related behaviours of a Caribbean group living in South London

According to the 1991 census there are approximately 3 million people from minority ethnic groups residing in England and Wales, which constitutes 6 percent of the total population. The Black Caribbean group are the second largest ethnic group living in England and Wales today, however there is little dental research aimed towards this group when compared to other ethnic groups. It is essential to gain an understanding in the way ethnic groups live and behave as all are inherently different and therefore can not be seen as homogenous, especially when planning services and implementing policy. This piece of research aimed to look at a number of oral health related practices of Caribbean groups living in the South London area in order to gain an understanding and insight into this particular group. Community groups were used as a starting point to gain access. The method of data collection used was quantitative. Group leaders were willing to participate once the aims of the research had been explained. The majority of the sample, 64.7 percent cleaned their teeth twice a day. There was an even split between those who regularly attended the dentist, 23 percent and those who only attended when in pain, 25 percent. When asked "where they last went for treatment in the UK." 60 percent said they went to an N.H.S dentist, 16 percent reported "never" attending the dentist. The majority of respondents had not experienced any problems with their teeth in the last month, however bleeding gums was reported most frequently in this particular ethnic group. When asked if the respondents were "satisfied" or "not satisfied" with their teeth, 60 percent felt satisfied. Concern relating to dissatisfaction was attached to colour, fillings and size of teeth. The research points to areas of concern amongst this ethnic group. Despite claiming to clean their teeth on a regular basis their dental attendance was very poor, only attending when in pain. Therefore oral hygiene appeared to be high but did not match their attendance patterns. Irregular attendance could be due to factors such as access and lack of information. It is apparent that research of this nature is essential in order to gain a clearer understanding of attitudes and behaviour of different ethnic groups. (AU)

Children's dental health under the capitation scheme

A study was undertaken of the dental health of 7870 eight-year-old children resident in the the City of Birmingham, using the standard British Association of Community Dentistry epidemiological procedures. There were variations in the dental health of children from different ethnic backgrounds. Asian children had the poorest dental health and Afro-Caribbean children, the best. There were also variations in the dental health of children from different ACORN Category 'Thriving' had better dental health than those from the lowest, 'Striving' Category. Positive consent was obtained from every parent or guardian to link the findings with the Dental Practice Board's records as to whether each child was registered under the NHS capitation scheme, (54.5 per cent), was compared with those who were not, (45.5 percent). The highest proportion of children registered with a dentist were Caucasian and from a high social class i.e. ACORN Category 'Thriving'. In order to ensure that differences were due to their capitation status and not to other differences within the groups, analyses were undertaken according to the ethnic background and ACORN Category of the children. Overall, there were only very small differences between the caries state of the registered and non registered children. However, 32 percent of those children registered in the scheme still had active decay which was not restricted to primary dentition. The greatest reduction in the average number of decayed teeth together with the greatest increase in the average number of fillings in registered children when compared with their non registered colleagues was observed in the lowest ACORN Category 'Thriving'. However in the ACORN Category 'Striving', there was a higher proportion of children with good oral hygiene amongst those who were registered than amongst those who were not. Provision of preventive treatment was low in all registered and non registered groups, but lowest in those groups of children with the poorest dental health. It would appear that, for a proportion of children registered in the capitation scheme, the practitioners were failing to acheive the requirement of securing and maintaining their oral health(AU)