Dental health education in a public health centre

Abstract

This paper deals with a study made with the purpose of observing dental health, education of patients coming for the first time to a Health Center. The study was carried out during two weeks and 25 patients were observed through "Participant Observation". Data for the "Educational Diagnosis" was collected in a card specially designed for it. Results showed that dental health orientation was not given by the staff to patients. An educational programme about dental health is suggested to be integrated with the activities of the various services, being the Dentist responsible for the staff programme coordination and evaluation. Finally the importance of the health center for the development of preventive, curative and educational integrated programmes is emphasized.