Oral health and overall well-being: A multi-faceted relationship

Abstract

This paper provides a brief introduction to a special issue focused on oral health. Oral health encompasses disease prevention in terms of dental caries or periodontal disease, but also extends beyond to cover craniofacial diseases and conditions as well as issues related to speech, taste, expression, etc. This issue aims to give an overview of some of the important aspects that pertain to oral health. The articles in this issue are varied and focus on information available on the Internet regarding fluoridation; college students and their oral health habits; the results of oral health training program provided to community health workers; and oral motor treatment for therapeutic feeding effects on articulatory skills. The author concludes that, as research emerges on innovations in oral health, it would behoove professionals in public health and beyond to build their knowledge of developments.

KEYWORDS::

• Knowledge
• oral health
• public health
• research