Training of Basic Oral Health Workers

Revised edition by W.A. van Geest, 2001

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Introduction

Anatomy, physiology, common dental diseases and their causes.

Prevention, primary dental care, preventive programmes.

Treatment of common dental diseases.

Special problems.

Practical issues.

Introduction

This book deals with the prevention and emergency care of diseases affecting the teeth, the gums and related tissues.

Its aim is to provide health workers in rural areas with basic knowledge on dental diseases and their prevention.

PREFERABLY THIS BOOK IS USED WITH A PRACTICAL TRAINING BY AN EXPERIENCED DENTAL WORKER.

From experience I know that usually health workers with little or no formal education are dealing with dental problems in the clinics where they are employed.

AS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE THIS BOOK IS THEREFORE AIMED AT HEALTH WORKERS WITH LITTLE MEDICAL TRAINING.

The text has been written in simplified terms rather than scientific sound language.

PROPER UNDERSTANDING AND CORRECT DENTAL PROCEDURES ARE FELT TO BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN GOOD COMMAND OF THE SCIENTIFIC TONGUE.

As the prevalence of dental diseases is on the increase, health workers should be familiar with the current ideas on prevention and treatment of dental diseases.

Our aim is to provide primary dental care. This means: To assist people in our community in keeping their mouth healthy.

When prevention fails and a dental problem arises we should be able to provide emergency dental care. We are limited in our treatment possibilities. Pain will be dealt with in simple procedures e.g. extractions.