Dental Public Health & Epidemiology for ORE Part 1
Review of UK community water fluoridation, DBOH toolkit, high-fluoride toothpastes, and epidemiological study designs.
Key Syllabus Concepts Tested in Dental Public Health & Epidemiology
- Community water fluoridation target level (1.0 ppm) and Sacn free sugar intake (<5% daily energy)
- Public Health England DBOH toolkit: 'Spit don't rinse' and high-fluoride toothpaste (2,800/5,000 ppm)
- Epidemiology metrics: Prevalence (existing cases) vs Incidence (new cases over time)
- Levels of prevention: Primary (fissure sealants/varnish), Secondary (early caries detection), Tertiary (RCT/crowns)
Sample SBA Practice Questions
Sample Question 1 (Paper B)
What is the optimal concentration of fluoride added to public water supplies in community fluoridation schemes in the UK?
- 1.5 ppm (1.5 mg fluoride per litre)
- 0.7 ppm (0.7 mg fluoride per litre)
- 0.5 ppm (0.5 mg fluoride per litre)
- 1.0 ppm (1.0 mg fluoride per litre)
✅ Correct Answer: 1.0 ppm (1.0 mg fluoride per litre)
Explanation: Community water fluoridation aims for an optimal target level of 1.0 ppm (1 mg/L) fluoride.
Clinical Pearl: Community water fluoridation target level in UK is 1.0 ppm (1 mg/L).
Sample Question 2 (Paper B)
Under UK DBOH guidelines, what concentration of fluoride toothpaste should be recommended for patients aged 10+ at high risk of caries?
- Over-the-counter 1,450 ppm toothpaste twice daily plus a 225 ppm daily fluoride rinse
- Prescribed 1,000 ppm sodium fluoride toothpaste, used three times daily after meals
- Over-the-counter 1,450 ppm toothpaste only, as high-fluoride pastes begin at age 16
- Prescribed 2,800 ppm or 5,000 ppm sodium fluoride toothpaste, used twice daily
✅ Correct Answer: Prescribed 2,800 ppm or 5,000 ppm sodium fluoride toothpaste, used twice daily
Explanation: High caries risk patients aged 10+ should be prescribed high-fluoride toothpaste containing 2,800 ppm or 5,000 ppm NaF.
Clinical Pearl: High risk caries patients 10+ receive prescription 2,800 or 5,000 ppm NaF toothpaste.
Sample Question 3 (Paper B)
Which epidemiological index measures total lifetime caries experience by counting decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth?
- DMFT index, counting affected permanent teeth
- DMFS index, counting affected permanent tooth surfaces
- SiC index, mean caries score of the worst-affected third
- dmft index, counting affected primary teeth
✅ Correct Answer: DMFT index, counting affected permanent teeth
Explanation: DMFT (Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth) is the standard WHO index for reporting coronal dental caries experience.
Clinical Pearl: DMFT index measures lifetime cumulative caries experience (Decayed, Missing, Filled).
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