Progress in policy issues to improve oral health in Africa
Author(s)
Hobdell, M
Johnson, NW
Lalloo, R.
Myburgh, N
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2004
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
In the African region there is a disproportionate amount of oral disease which has grave and often fatal consequences, some of which seems to be growing in prevalence as a result of the massive social disruption on the continent. Although oral conditions are not always life‐threatening, they are important public health problems because of their high prevalence, their severity, or public demand due to their impact on individuals and society. The combined effect of the resulting pain, discomfort, social and functional limitations, financial burden and handicap these have on the quality of life, has been largely ignored. It has ...
View more >In the African region there is a disproportionate amount of oral disease which has grave and often fatal consequences, some of which seems to be growing in prevalence as a result of the massive social disruption on the continent. Although oral conditions are not always life‐threatening, they are important public health problems because of their high prevalence, their severity, or public demand due to their impact on individuals and society. The combined effect of the resulting pain, discomfort, social and functional limitations, financial burden and handicap these have on the quality of life, has been largely ignored. It has also become evident that a substantial number of colonial and other unsustainable oral health strategies exported to Africa have failed so far to improve oral health in the region. Where viable interventions have existed, their accessibility for most communities has been limited or entirely excluded by the constraints of class, demography or political status (Hobdell et al, 1997).
View less >
View more >In the African region there is a disproportionate amount of oral disease which has grave and often fatal consequences, some of which seems to be growing in prevalence as a result of the massive social disruption on the continent. Although oral conditions are not always life‐threatening, they are important public health problems because of their high prevalence, their severity, or public demand due to their impact on individuals and society. The combined effect of the resulting pain, discomfort, social and functional limitations, financial burden and handicap these have on the quality of life, has been largely ignored. It has also become evident that a substantial number of colonial and other unsustainable oral health strategies exported to Africa have failed so far to improve oral health in the region. Where viable interventions have existed, their accessibility for most communities has been limited or entirely excluded by the constraints of class, demography or political status (Hobdell et al, 1997).
View less >
Journal Title
Oral Diseases
Volume
10
Issue
3
Subject
Dentistry