Oral Health for Overall Health

Abstract

Oral health is an essential component of health throughout life. Health education comprises consciously constructed opportunities for learning involving some form of communication designed to improve health literacy, including improving knowledge, and developing life skills which are conducive to individual and community health. Successful educational programs are found in association with preventive, promotive and curative programs. While health promotion refers to combination of educational, organizational, economic, political and environmental supports conducive to oral health, education and promotion used in combination may bring about desirable oral health. Dental health education may be planned for the community at large or for high-risk group based on the resources available. Priority should be given to expectant and lactating mothers, preschool and school-going children, physically and mentally challenged and the elderly. Good oral health is not only essential to good overall health and freedom from the pain and suffering associated with oral health problems; it also affects self-esteem, quality of life, and performance at school and at work. Therefore, the public health community must view oral health as essential.