Primary Oral Health Care in Reducing Prosthodontic Burden: A Review

Area of Science:

• Dental Public Health
• Prosthodontics
• Health Policy

Background:

• Rising prosthodontic treatment demands are linked to untreated oral diseases, tooth loss, and aging populations.
• Disparities in access to early dental care exacerbate the need for complex prosthodontic interventions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
• Primary Oral Health Care (POHC) offers a framework for prevention and early intervention to mitigate these demands.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the conceptual framework of POHC.
• To examine the etiological factors contributing to prosthodontic needs.
• To critically evaluate primary oral health strategies for reducing tooth loss and improving oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL).

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of existing literature.
• Analysis of etiological pathways leading to prosthodontic demand.
• Assessment of primary oral health strategies' effectiveness.

Main Results:

• POHC, emphasizing prevention and early intervention, is essential for managing prosthodontic care needs.
• Effective primary oral health strategies can reduce tooth loss and delay the need for prosthetic rehabilitation.
• Improved OHRQoL is a key outcome of successful POHC implementation.

Conclusions:

• Integrating POHC into comprehensive oral health systems is vital for reducing the long-term prosthodontic burden.
• Addressing policy and workforce challenges is critical for successful POHC implementation.
• Future objectives should focus on strengthening POHC to ensure equitable and effective oral healthcare delivery.