Approaches in Oral Health Promotion

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "oral health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity". Oral health, an important component of general health, involves more than the existence of healthy teeth, it refers to the entire oral cavity and has profound implications for the body. Good oral health allows the realization of the person's social (socialization, communication) and economic functions. Although the oral health status of the population around the world has seen a marked improvement, oral diseases continue to be a major public health problem, especially in communities belonging to disadvantaged social groups in developed and developing countries, which still face increased levels of oral health impairment.