J Korean Acad Oral Health.  2023 Dec;47(4):186-196. 10.11149/jkaoh.2023.47.4.186.

Awareness of the concept and role of public oral health care in Korea among oral health professionals

• Lee YJ
• Lee NR
• Jung YS
• Lee M
• Jung HI
• Choi YH

• KMID: 2550172
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11149/jkaoh.2023.47.4.186

Abstract

Objectives
The importance of public healthcare has been further emphasized by the arrival of the era of super-aged societies. This study investigates the landscape among oral health professionals, focusing on the concept development of the public oral health care (POHC) and essential oral health care (EOHC).
Methods
A questionnaire survey of oral health professionals was conducted at six associations or societies who have an interest in POHC from December 21 to December 29, 2022. Chi-squared and logistic regression analyses were adopted to identify significant differences between the responses according to general characteristics. Significant differences were considered at a P-value of 0.05.
Results
A total of 100 oral health professionals (48 dentists and 52 dental hygienists) participated in this study. The results revealed that there is a need for improvement of the POHC and the establishment of concepts related to the POHC and EOHC. The agreement rate was 90%, 85%, and 86% for the responsible organization, the target object and field, and the concept in the definition of the POHC, respectively. In the case of the construction of the EOHC, the agreement rate was 91% for “Quality of life,” and 85% for “Life and safety.” Among the community oral health programs as the POHC programs, “Oral health education program” showed the highest agreement rate. In healthcare institutions that are capable of providing the POHC services, “Oral health center in the public health center” had the highest agreement rate.
Conclusions
The POHC would be reasonable to define to ensure universal access to oral healthcare services for all citizens. In the case of EOHC, further research is needed to establish terminology and specific concepts in the future. This study could contribute valuable insights to the field of the POHC in an era of super-aged societies. As further research, more oral health professionals need to participate in the POHC-related policy and health care system.

Keyword

Essential oral health care; Expert survey; Public health care; Public oral health care

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Flowchart of study participants.

Reference

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