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Review of the evidence for oral health promotion effectiveness

Dental caries, periodontal diseases, tooth loss and oral cancers have significant burden of disease effects *, quality of life and cost implications for the Australian community. Oral health promotion is a key approach to addressing these conditions endorsed as part of the National Oral Health Plan. Understanding the evidence for effectiveness of oral health promotion is integral to strategic planning for both oral and general health settings. Objective: The objective of this article is to report the key findings of a systematic review of the evidence for oral health promotion commissioned by the Victorian Department of Human Services in 2006. Methods: Evidence was collected and evaluated using a combined approach incorporating the Cochrane Public Health and Health Promotion Field Handbook and the Health Gains Notation in order to a develop a synthesis approach to reporting, framed around the Ottawa Charter. Findings: Findings included evidence supporting the continued fluoridation of water supplies, interventions aimed at early childhood and aged care settings, smoking cessation and capacity building with non-oral health care providers. Emerging evidence supporting multi-strategy community based approaches is also reported along with gaps in the evidence. General Conclusions: The authors conclude that, while there is good support for the incorporation of oral health into general health promotion, it will be important to monitor the outcomes in oral health terms.