Oral Health is one of eight topics in the Health Promotion Department working across three Community Health  Partnership areas

The role of the Oral and Dental Health Team is to support and implement a range of oral health activities, initiatives and programmes to ensure that oral and dental health is a priority in all settings. Oral Health Promotion is about helping people improve their oral health through education, prevention and supportive environments.

Background

In the last 30 years or so there have been some real improvements in oral and dental health and there are now one million more people in Scotland with their own teeth than there was in 1972. But it definitely isn't all good news, as with so many other chronic diseases Scotland is still near the bottom of the league tables when it comes to healthy mouths and trying to change this has been identified as a priority.

In Forth Valley, improvements in oral health are being brought about through the Forth Valley Oral and Dental Health Strategy (PDF 389 kb - 45 pages) This aims to tackle poor oral health from all angles focussing on oral health promotion, prevention and increased or re-orientated service provision.

Targets

An Action Plan for Improving Oral Health and Modernising NHS Dental Services in Scotland (PDF 444 kb - 48 pages) outlines the measures for NHS Boards to address the poor oral health record of the population and sets targets to be achieved by 2010.

• Other Health Promotion Settings and Topics
• Community Dental Services
• Local Authorities especially education services
• General Dental Services, Community Pharmacists and all the Primary Care medical team
  

Programmes are developed and implemented to facilitate individuals or groups to undertake key oral health promoting behaviours such as:

• Reducing the amount and frequency of sugary foods and drinks
• Tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste
• Regular dental attendance and care
• Stopping smoking and reducing alcohol intake
  

Key areas of work for Oral Health Improvement Programmes:

• Community and Workplaces
• Early Years (Pre-5s)
• Health Promoting Schools
• Vulnerable Groups

New Developments / Programmes

 
has been developed to raise awareness of health issues during teenage transition. It is designed to support young people make choices in life around issues that can affect their health.  For further information please visit our Scene by Us webpages.