Community Oral Health, Annotated Bibliography Example

Jones, S., Burt, B., Peterson, P., & Lennon, M. (2005). The effective use of fluorides in public health. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 83(9), 670-676.

Tooth decay is a public health concern, especially in underdeveloped countries. Fluoride, used initially as a water treatment, now finds its most prevalent use as an additive in toothpastes and dental rinses. Both of these treatments, the water fluoridation and the dental hygiene help in reducing cavities. The researchers present four case studies that show how public health uses of fluoride. The cases are from the United States (in water), Jamaica (in salt), Chile (in milk), and Indonesia (in toothpaste). It is much more cost effective for the government to provide fluoridation than it is for families to do it. The researchers recommend that a locality not use more than one of these fluoridation approaches in combination with fluoridated toothpaste.

Lewis, C., Lynch, H., & Richardson, L. (2005). Fluoride varnish use in primary care: What so providers think? Pediatrics, 115(1), 69-76.

The researchers make the point that most states’ Medicaid programs reimburse physicians and medical personnel for their applications of fluoride varnish to the teeth of eligible children. The researchers wanted to find out if any factors led health professional to administer or not administer the varnish. They studied 12 community-based medical practices trained in the application of fluoride varnish. The major themes that emerged included 1. Preexisting factors –Health personnel learned about the varnish through their associations with public health workers; Communication –Staff within a practice were more likely to use the varnish of they were involved in the decision making to receive the training for its application; and, 3. Logistical factors –Who would apply the varnish and at what point in the office visit it would be applied were the systemic factors that were discussed most frequently.

Milgrom, P., & Reisine, S.(2000). Oral health in the United States: The post-fluoride generation. Annual Review of Public Health, 21(1), 403-436.

We are winning our battle against tooth decay and periodontal diseases. This is in large measure due to community practices of water fluoridation. The poorest among us do not have access to the treated water supplies that have improved oral health. The primary target needs for public, oral health relate to tobacco –smoking and smokeless. We are yet a long way from having regular oral health care for all citizens. This report urges state and local authorities to promote the need for dental treatments as vigorously as it did fluoridated water treatments some 50 years ago.