Oral Health

The toolkit for oral health is available at: http://www.newhealth.govt.nz/toolkits/oralhealth.htm

Here are links to resources on oral health:

• New Zealand
• Maori and Pacific
• International
• NZ Links and other resources
  

New Zealand

• Durie, M. (2000). Oral health services: Externalities and implications for practice. In_Brown, H.//Eden, J._(Ed.), Proceedings of the oral health forum, (pp._26-29), May 4-6, Massey University, Palmerston North. University of Otago: The Dental Council of New Zealand.

Maori and Pacific

• Pacific Health Dialogue (PHD) Journal of Community Health and Clinical Medicine for the Pacific
  The medical journal devoted to Pacific healthcontents
  March 2003. Vol. 10 No. 1 Oral Health in the Pacific, Editors: Jonacani Tuisuva and Zac Morse (School of Oral Health, Fiji), Dr. Sitaleki A. Finau (Fiji School of Medicine):
  Link to volume at: http://www.resourcebooks.co.nz/phd/back_issues/phd2003mar.htm
  

International

• Preventive dentistry: current concepts in women's oral health; Burakoff R.P; Primary Care Update for OB/GYNS, May 2003, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 141-146(6)
  Document available online click on proceed
  In 2000, the Surgeon General of the United States issued the first-ever report on oral health, to alert Americans on its importance to general health and well-being. Women, due to gender, display oral disease differentially. The most common oral diseases are dental caries and periodontal disease. Both of the diseases are infectious in nature, and are responsive to a variety of interventions including: community wide, professional care and self-care. Eating disorders, which are prevalent in adolescent women, have oral manifestations that need to be addressed by the dentist as well as the primary care Ob/Gyn. Oral health in women is markedly affected by hormonal fluctuations. Specific oral conditions are associated with puberty, adolescence, menses, pregnancy, and menopause. These conditions are discussed along with available effective preventive modalities that can optimize oral health.
• Oral health care for pregnant and postpartum women, Goldie M.P.; International Journal of Dental Hygiene, August 2003, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 174-176(3)
  Pregnancy may pose a number of concerns to the mother and the foetus. This can include systemic and oral issues that effect health. Transmission of caries-causing bacteria is one problem that can be minimized by utilizing simple, cost-effective measures. Chlorhexidine rinses and xylitol containing chewing gum will be discussed as possible solutions to this tremendous public health problem.
• The impact of estrogen deficiency and therapy on women's oral health, Steinberg B.J.; International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 2000, vol. 70, no. 1004, pp. 63-63(1)
  Document available online click on proceed
• A Trip to the Dentist can Save Your Life by Jennifer Wider, MD Society for Women's Health Research
  Eating disorders have reached epidemic proportions in the United States. According to the National Eating Disorders Association in Seattle, Washington, an estimated five to ten million girls and women are dealing with some sort of eating disorder after puberty. In addition, close to 80 percent of American women are displeased with their appearance at some time or another. The American Anorexia/Bulimia Association estimates that approximately 5 percent of college women in the US have bulimia. Oral health practitioners can play an integral role in the diagnosis of eating disorders, according to an article published in a 2001 special issue devoted to women's health in the dental journal, Compendium. Signs of self-induced vomiting, one of the hallmarks of the condition bulimia nervosa, become evident on the teeth and can easily be spotted by dentists, hygienists and other oral health experts. See more at: http://www.womens-health.org/press/newsservice/071003.htm
• Gum Disease and the Link to Pregnancy Complications by Jennifer Wider, MD Society for Women's Health Research March 20, 2003
  Pregnant women who have gum disease are at a greater risk for developing preeclampsia, or pregnancy-induced hypertension, according to a new study published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology. Obstetricians who normally screen women for established preeclampsia risk factors such as chronic high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disorders, multiple gestation and autoimmune disorders, now need to pay close attention to patients with poor oral health.
  See more at: http://www.womens-health.org/press/newsservice/032003.htm
  

NZ Links and other resources

• Improving Child Oral Health and Reducing Child Oral Health Inequalities (PDF file)
  Report to the Minister of Health from the Public Health Advisory Committee
• Preventive dental strategies for older populations