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Authors:
A. Makalatia, E.Mirvelashvili, N. Chipashvili, L.Baramidze, L.Gumbaridze, Georgia
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Abstract:
Prevention
and control of organ and tissue pathologies of the oral cavity are considered
to be a relevant topic of public health
throughout the world. According to the World Health report 2003 (unless we take
action today, many countries will not be able to pay for treatment programs),
the cost of treatment of oral diseases is high and ranks fourth among the
diseases with high treatment and management spending. Without the
implementation of oral disease prevention programs and interventions, even many
high-income countries cannot fund oral health programs, which negatively
affects public health. In low- and middle-income countries, due to increased
rates of consumed unhealthy diet and tobacco consumption, an increase in the
burden of oral disease might be expected.
The aim of the study is
an assessment of the importance of adequate oral health awareness among the
general population by healthcare professionals.
The Study Materials and Methods:
there have been conducted - qualitative research/study, in-depth interview; all
basic principles of qualitative research were observed; the goals and
objectives of the research were shared with the persons/experts involved in the
study. 8 experts (average age of expert 52,17±2,89 working experience 14,5 ± 3,5 year), 2 women and 6 men were
involved in the research/study.
The study results: To
the first group question - what is your position on the need in population oral
health awareness, the vast majority of experts answered that oral diseases are
considered the major public health problems. Their impact on the health status
of both, the individuals and the community as a whole is of great significance.
Answering
the second part of the questions - what is the current reality in the country
regarding the promotion of oral health issues - most experts noted that there
is no unified oral health strategy in the country. The population is provided
with information by the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health
(NCDC), however, the measures taken are unsystematic.
The
third part of the questions related to the desirable reality, being relevant to
the challenges on the one hand and based on real opportunities of the country's
healthcare sector on the other, was answered by experts as follows: first of
all, unified strategic document on oral health with the active involvement of
the Public Health Center, professional associations and experts should be
elaborated.
In
addition, the prevention and management of oral diseases should be integrated
into a unified strategy for managing non-communicable diseases. The creation of
multi-sectoral group/team to work on the development of a strategy and
long-term plan of action and to promote their implementation is needed. In
addition, experts unanimously note that for Georgia it is necessary to share
world experience in this direction, and especially to follow the WHO and CDC
recommendations.
Conclusion: Thus, the vast
majority of experts believe that informing the population about oral health
affecting many aspects of oral health is of great importance. According to
them, low levels of oral health-related public awareness are directly related
to the burden of oral disease.
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