Prevention Strategies at the Community Level
To reach the entire community, fluoridate the water. (also consider natural fluoride levels in the drinking water)
If water fluoridation is not possible, fluoridate the salt.
Beyond that, approach the specific groups:
- Going to schools will reach the school-age children. It will miss preschool, teens and adults. Students can learn proper brushing, fluoride mouth rinse
- Dental sealants and fluoride varnishes can be applied in school setting.
- Providing fluoride toothpaste will reach people who brush with fluoride toothpaste.
Other measures to potentially reach the entire population include:
- Community education, policy and legislation
- Sugar taxes
- Antismoking campaigns
- Sports injury prevention
Link to Allukian Jr, M. and Horowitz, A.M., Effective Community Preventions Programs for Oral Dieseases, Chapter 10 in Jong's Community Dental Health, Fifth ed., Gluck, G., And Morganstein, W., ed., Mosby Press, St. Louis. p. 237-276, 2002