Health promotion for dental patients

Dentists and dental hygienists are considered to be healthcare professionals that promote health and wellness with care and professionalism towards their clients. Our course of treatment is divided in three conceptual health care frameworks:

1)      Disease prevention

2)      Disease treatment

3)      Health promotion

In order to successfully complete our task as dental practitioners we need to understand what client counseling, principles of learning, client motivation and human needs are

-Patient  Counseling

• For most dental patients major attention is focused on control of caries and periodontal infections with emphasis on microbial plaque control, tobacco cessation, nutrition
• Periodontal infections and dental carries can be prevented or controlled
• Teeth can be preserved throughout the patient’s lifetime
• Consider a client who increases oral health knowledge, attitude, & values. Then instills this in respective family, then the community
• Knowledge and beliefs are not enough…
• Knowledge must be put into action, learning occurs when beneficial changes are incorporated into everyday living

-Principles of learning

• More effective when client is ready to learn
• Individual differences must be considered
• Motivation is essential
• What a client learns in a given situation depends on what is recognized & understood
• Recognition between similarities & differences of past & present situation
• Clients learn what is actually used
• Increased when client feels satisfied
• Evaluating results of instruction is essential to determine if learning is taking place

-Motivation

• Individuals are motivated to practice behavior that leads to achievement of goals that are valued (must consider oral health as a valuable asset)
• Motivation stems from a physiologic or social need (peer group approval, fear of rejection)

-Human Needs Model

(The human needs model is used as a framework for dental hygiene care)

• In the human needs model of dental hygiene the client is seen as a biologic, psychological, spiritual, social, cultural and intellectual human being who is

motivated by the fulfillment of his/her human needs.

• The environment affects the client and the DH and both are capable of influencing the environment.
• The higher the level of human need fulfillment, the higher the state of wellness for the individual.

• Dental Hygiene actions are defined as those interventions aimed at assisting clients in meeting their human needs related to optimal oral wellness and quality of life through out the life cycle.

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