Dentistry: Community Dentistry & Behavioral Science

The American Association of Public Health Dentistry defines dental public health as "the science and art of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting dental health through organized community efforts."  So, dental public health, or community dentistry, goes beyond clinical practice and individual patients by proactively reaching out to the community in order to educate the public about maintaining optimal oral health as a way to prevent and control potential dental health problems.   

This specialized movement or focus within the field of dentistry officially originated in the 1950s, and has since then developed three main areas of activity:

1. Research: Focused on factors or methods that help prevent oral health issues.
2. Educating and Promotion: Dental health professionals interact with community members outside of the clinic to teach and promote good oral hygiene habits. The most common form of this activity is seen in public schools, where dental professionals visit elementary schools in order to instruct on regular oral hygiene, the importance of oral health, and do minimal clinical care operations (i.e., sealants, apply fluoride varnish to prevent cavities, etc.). 
3. Expanding Access to Care: For underserved or at-risk populations.

Dental public health or community dentistry is an increasingly important field, particularly with the focus on preventative care sweeping the broader health professions.  As such, there are a variety of organizations, groups, and resources devoted to the topic.

Source: Illinois Central College