Dental health is important for general health and wellbeing. Poor dental health can affect a person's ability to eat, speak, smile and socialise normally. This could be due to pain or social embarrassment.
Diet, oral hygiene, smoking, alcohol, stress and trauma, many of the risk factors are the same as for many chronic conditions, such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Therefore interventions to improve oral health will also improve general health.
Front-line health and care staff have trusted relationships with patients, families and communities. For more information for to promote the benefits of good oral health, see the below resources:
Adult oral health guide that is part of ‘All Our Health’, a resource which helps health professionals prevent ill health and promote wellbeing, as part of their everyday practice. The information will help front-line health and care staff to make the most of their trusted relationships with patients, families and communities to promote the benefits of good oral health for adults.
Child oral health guide that is part of ‘All Our Health’, a resource which helps health professionals prevent ill health and promote wellbeing, as part of their everyday practice. The information will help front-line health and care staff use their trusted relationships with patients, families and communities to promote the benefits of good oral health for children.