National Oral Health Program in Algeria
National Oral Health Program in Algeria
National Oral Health Program in Algeria
I. Introduction
Since independence, the management of the oral health of the population has focused mainly on the training of dental surgeons and the creation of curative centres.
Given the failure of this approach, a new direction in the oral health policy based on preventive dentistry is required. There has been an introduction into the national school health program of an oral health sub-program based on the promotion of tooth brushing which will be established as a “National School Oral Health Program”.
II. Motivation for such a program
1- Current situation : scale of the problem
From 1994 to 2000, the assessments carried out using the support of the school health program revealed the following observation:
Dental caries is the most common pathology in schools: the prevalence is 37 to 40%, although this figure is well below reality since the screening consultations carried out as part of the school health program are not carried out under optimal conditions and only 20 to 22% of children referred for treatment of dental caries or malposition are treated.
2- Problematic
- Significant caries morbidity
- Bad eating habits
- Poor oral hygiene
- Lack of information (about the importance of good oral health)
- Rare, late curative care, therefore too costly and painful
3- Which program to choose?
The most common oral pathologies are: caries and gingivopathy.
Preventive approach
Fluoride: Its use should only be done after a fluoride assessment of the daily fluoride intake through water and food.
Oral hygiene: It is part of the child’s personal hygiene and is based on learning to brush their teeth correctly and regularly.
Food hygiene This involves correcting bad eating habits and developing advice aimed at eliminating the most cariogenic foods, while promoting a balanced diet.
Early detection First degree caries can only be detected by the dentist. This is the stage at which intervention is necessary because the treatment is painless and much less expensive.
III- objectives
1- Health objectives
Reduce the prevalence of caries in school children by 20 to 25% in five years
Reduce periodontal prevalence in school children by 50% in two years
2- Health education objectives : The child must:
1. Know the importance of healthy teeth and the factors that trigger caries and periodontal disease
2. Brush your teeth properly at least twice a day
3. Correct your eating behavior
4. Treat cavities as soon as they appear and gingivitis as soon as it sets in
IV- target population
Children enrolled in primary and secondary education
The target classes chosen are: 1st AF, 2nd AF, 4th AF, 7th AF and 1st AS corresponding respectively to the following ages: 6 years, 7 years, 9 years, 12 years and 15 years.
V- Strategy
1- Primary prevention Primary prevention is the set of measures aimed at avoiding the onset of a disease. Concerning oral-dental pathologies, if the elimination of dental plaque by correct and regular brushing (apart from local causes and certain general diseases) is sufficient to eliminate gingivitis, dental caries cannot be completely eradicated.
2- Secondary prevention Secondary prevention is the interception of a condition: Intercepting caries as soon as it appears and gingivitis as soon as it sets in.
National Oral Health Program in Algeria
VI- MEANS
1- Human resources
A committee responsible for planning the programme ‘s activities and monitoring it at the national level.
The various committees for coordinating health protection activities in schools established by interministerial circular No. 175 of 27.12.89, which will include a dental surgeon – Public health dental surgeons, including school health surgeons – National education staff – Parents’ associations – Local authorities
2- Material resources
• Infrastructure: schools and UDS
• Dental equipment and materials
• Consumables for conservative treatment of 1st and 2nd degree caries
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Plaque revealer
• Educational and information materials: posters and leaflets, materials for demonstrating tooth brushing (giant jaws and toothbrush), audiovisual materials (films, slides, CD-ROMs, etc.).
• Information system documents: Student oral health record, liaison sheet, daily dental office register, and screening and treatment assessment sheets.
VII- Evaluation
1-Results
1-1. Clinical evaluation:
• By comparing the clinical parameters of 1st AS students who have undergone the program since 1st AF (i.e. after 12 years of application of the program) with those of 1st AS before the program as well as the clinical parameters of 4th and 7th AF students who have undergone the program since 1st AF (by intermediate assessments) with those of 4th and 7th AF before the program.
1-2. Evaluation of primary prevention :
• By measuring the impact of health education on the acquisition of the twice-daily brushing reflex and the quality of dental brushing (through the use of plaque revealer).
• By comparing the number of spontaneous visits for screening before and after the program at all target ages.
2- Means and activities
In order to make the necessary adjustments, each establishment must annually assess the human and material resources made available to the program as well as the activities of the dental surgeons responsible for this program.
3 – From the target population
Each year the coverage rate of the target population of this program must be calculated.
Dental crowns are used to restore the shape and function of a damaged tooth.
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, can cause premature wear and often requires wearing a retainer at night.
Dental abscesses are painful infections that require prompt treatment to avoid complications. Gum grafting is a surgical procedure that can treat gum recession. Dentists use composite materials for fillings because they match the natural color of the teeth.
A diet high in sugar increases the risk of developing tooth decay.
Pediatric dental care is essential to establish good hygiene habits from an early age.