Public health and dental caries in young children in deprived communities in Scotland

Chambers, S. (2012) Public health and dental caries in young children in deprived communities in Scotland. Scottish Universities Medical Journal, 1(3),

Abstract

Dental  caries  is  the  most  prevalent  disease  worldwide,  and  is  caused  by  a  complex  interaction of tooth susceptibility, nutrition and the oral environment.  In young children it  can have a major impact on their quality of life, and is the main reason why Scottish children  are  admitted  to  hospital.    There  have  been  dramatic  improvements  in  Scottish  children’s  oral health.  This has been enabled through the introduction of Childsmile, the national oral  health  programme  for  Scottish  children.    Nevertheless,  significant  challenges  exist  in  reducing  oral  health  inequalities.  This  paper  calls  for  a  greater  emphasis  on  the  social  determinants  of  health  to  ensure  that  all  Scottish  children  have  the  benefit  of  good  oral  health.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: No
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Chambers, Dr Stephanie
• Authors: Chambers, S.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Social Scientists working in Health and Wellbeing
• Journal Name: Scottish Universities Medical Journal
• Publisher: University of Dundee
• ISSN: 2049-8454
• ISSN (Online): 2049-8454
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2012 The Author
• First Published: First published in the Scottish Universities Medical Journal 1(3)
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with the permission of the publisher