ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to dental public health (DPH) and describe the activities between public health practice and individual patient care. DPH issues can be targeted at different levels: dental or oral; individual or population; and oral or general health. The three core functions of public health are assessment, policy development and assurance. Assessment involves reviewing the community's health needs by investigation of adverse events and current health measures. This is followed by analysing the determinants of health and supply of resources. Policy Development entails the formation of social support networks and good communication systems. Assurance involves carrying out and evaluating the action plan. A final important stage involves informing and educating the public about positive health behaviours. Health professionals define health as freedom from a medico-dental defined disease, where disease is defined as abnormalities in anatomical structures or physiological or biochemical process. Measuring health becomes difficult as ideas vary widely and are subjective.
