Dental charity work--does it really help?
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Biomedical subjects
Habib Benzian
Publications and source records attributed to Habib Benzian.
Implementation of a Basic Package of Oral Care: towards a reorientation of dental Ngos and their volunteers.
Dental NGOs and volunteers working in disadvantaged communities around the world do so with the best of intentions and with high motivation. Regrettably, the impact of this engagement on oral health at the population level remains rather low. This is mainly due to the choice of inappropriate approaches, the failure to integrate their projects within existing health care systems and the lack of sustainability. This paper proposes the concept of the Basic Package of Oral Care (BPOC) as a guiding framework for dental NGO and volunteer activities. The main components of the BPOC (Oral Urgent Treatment, Affordable Fluoride Toothpaste, Atraumatic Restorative Treatment) offer many opportunities for effective, affordable and sustainable activities that aim to improve oral health on the community and population level. Only through a reorientation of dental volunteer services and NGOs towards new roles and activities can a sustained impact on global oral health be possible. Recommendations are given that could help dental NGOs and volunteers in this process of change.
Cariostatic Agents↗
Public health aspects of tobacco control: setting the agenda for action by oral health professions across Europe.
Tobacco use is a significant public health problem across Europe. Each year over half a million Europeans die prematurely due to a smoking-related disease. Tobacco use is a primary cause of many oral diseases and adverse oral conditions. The prevalence of tobacco use varies considerably across Europe, although in many countries overall rates of use have declined in recent years. However, tobacco use among women and young people is rising in several European countries. Tobacco behaviour is influenced by an array of factors, and quitting is a major challenge for many tobacco users. Tobacco use is now considered a chronic progressive relapsing condition requiring very specific support and assistance. To reduce tobacco use across Europe, a range of complementary actions and policies are required at an international, national and local level. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) outlines an array of evidence-based policies that can be implemented to prevent tobacco use and promote cessation. National dental associations and professional groups across Europe have an important role to play in supporting the ratification and implementation of the FCTC. The aim of this paper is to outline the public health aspects of tobacco control and highlight how the oral health professions across Europe can become actively engaged in this important and relevant area of prevention.
Age Factors↗
Dental aid organisations: baseline data about their reality today.
AIM: To collect basic data about non-governmental dental aid organisations on a global scale and thus contribute to a better understanding of their diversity, activities and limitations. METHODS: Data was collected through a mailed questionnaire to all organisations listed by the FDI World Dental Federation. A second questionnaire was e-mailed to those organisations identified as non-governmental organisations (NGO) by the first questionnaire. FINDINGS: The response rate to the first questionnaire to detect NGOs was 36.2%, to the second e-mailed form 84.4%. About two thirds of NGOs originated in developed countries, one third responded from developing countries. The majority had been established after 1980. Developed countries dental NGOs tended to have larger membership and disposed of greater budgets. In general, income was generated predominantly from donations and own resources. The workforce was primarily based on volunteers. High priority activities: service provision, education and training, technical assistance, community development. Measures for quality assurance showed low complexity. Frequent areas of problems were associated with funding and staff. Collaborative links with other stakeholders in development were weak and focussed on information exchange. CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations for NGOs, donors, FDI and future research are developed.
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