Benefits Of Dental And Health Care

Health maintenance calls for an ongoing partnership between clients and their health and dental care providers. In times of wellness, regular check-ups provide opportunities for doctors and dentists to assist clients in taking an active role in disease prevention and early detection. When illness develops, a collaborative relationship facilitates the delivery of health care that meets the client's needs and goals.

Prevention

Health professionals and dentists use a variety of methods to help their patients prevent disease. For example, immunizations have substantially reduced the incidence of a variety of infectious diseases in people of all ages. Vaccination of young children against Haemophilus influenzae type b, or Hib, demonstrates the benefits disease prevention. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that prior to the introduction of the Hib vaccine, approximately 20,000 serious Hib infections occurred annually in the United States. Since the introduction of routine Hib vaccination of infants and young children in the 1980s, the incidence of Hib infections has decreased by 99 percent. Regular teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments and dental sealants reduce the risk for periodontal disease and tooth decay. School-based dental sealant programs offer this preventive dental care to children who may not otherwise have access to it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports a 60 percent reduction in new cavities in the back teeth of children treated with dental sealants in school-based programs.

Early Detection

Prompt intervention can minimize the negative effects of a disease. Millions of Americans are screened each year for the early detection of breast cancer, colon cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, high blood cholesterol, low bone density and HIV infection. Through early disease identification, the health care team can work with the client to prevent irreversible and potentially life-threatening damage to the body. For example, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force strongly recommends routine screening for high blood pressure because early treatment of the condition significantly reduces the risk for coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke. Dentists screen for oral cancer, tooth decay and periodontal disease and early identification of these oral diseases provides an opportunity for treatment to arrest or reverse the disease process.

Treatment

When illness occurs, health care professionals work with their clients to try to cure the disease. Among people with incurable diseases, medical and dental treatments can often slow disease progression, minimize discomfort and enhance quality of life. Many advancements have occurred in disease treatment. Minimally-invasive surgical techniques reduce postoperative pain and recovery times. Joint replacement frequently enables people who had lost mobility to reestablish an active life. Advances in cancer therapy help increasing numbers of people to survive the disease. The American Cancer Society reports that the 5-year survival rate for cancer has increased from 50 percent in 1977 to 68 percent in 2005.