Periodontol 2000. 2012 Oct;60(1):98-109. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0757.2011.00427.x.
Health care systems are essential for promoting, improving and maintaining health of the population. Through an efficient health service, patients can be advised of disease that may be present and so facilitate treatment; risks factors whose modification could reduce the incidence of disease and illness in the future can be identified, and further, how controlling such factors can contribute to maintain a good quality of life. In developed countries, clinics or hospitals may be supported by health professionals from various specialties that allow their cooperation to benefit the patient; these institutions or clinics may be equipped with the latest technical facilities. In developing countries, health services are mostly directed to provide emergency care only or interventions towards certain age group population. The most common diseases are dental caries and periodontal disease and frequently intervention procedures aim, at treating existing problems and restore teeth and related structure to normal function. It is unfortunate that the low priority given to oral health hinders acquisition of data and establishment of effective periodontal care programmes in developing countries but also in some developed countries where the periodontal profile is also less than satisfactory. Despite the fact that in several developed countries there are advanced programmes oriented to periodontal disease treatments, the concern is related to the lack of preventive oriented treatments. According to data available on periodontal status of populations from developed countries, despite the number of dentists and trained specialists, dental health professionals do not presently meet adequately the need for prevention, focusing mainly on curative care. The need for strengthening disease prevention and health promotion programmes in order to improve oral health conditions and particularly periodontal status in the majority of countries around the world is evident. Unfortunately, in many countries, the human, financial and material resources are still insufficient to meet the need for oral health care services and to provide universal access, especially in disadvantaged communities, in both developing and developed countries. Moreover, even though the most widespread illnesses are avoidable, not all population groups are well informed about or able to take advantage of the proper measures for oral health promotion. In addition, in many countries, oral health care needs to be fully integrated into national or community health programmes. Improving oral health is a very challenging objective in developing countries, but also in developed countries, especially with the accelerated aging of the population now underway and intensifying over the coming years.
卫生保健系统对于促进、改善和维护人口健康至关重要。通过高效的卫生服务，患者可以了解可能存在的疾病，从而便于治疗；可以确定可能减少未来疾病和患病风险的因素，并进一步了解控制这些因素如何有助于维持良好的生活质量。在发达国家，诊所或医院可能由来自各个专业的卫生专业人员提供支持，使他们能够合作造福患者；这些机构或诊所可能配备了最新的技术设施。在发展中国家，卫生服务主要是提供紧急护理或针对特定年龄组人群的干预措施。最常见的疾病是龋齿和牙周病，经常采取干预措施的目的是治疗现有问题，并使牙齿和相关结构恢复正常功能。不幸的是，对口腔健康重视不够，阻碍了发展中国家获取数据和建立有效的牙周保健计划，也阻碍了一些发达国家建立这种计划，而这些国家的牙周状况也不尽如人意。尽管在几个发达国家，有针对牙周病治疗的先进计划，但关注的焦点是缺乏预防导向的治疗。根据发达国家人群牙周状况的现有数据，尽管有牙医和训练有素的专家人数，但牙科保健专业人员目前并没有充分满足预防需求，主要侧重于治疗。需要加强疾病预防和健康促进计划，以改善世界各地大多数国家的口腔健康状况，特别是牙周状况。不幸的是，在许多国家，人力资源、财政资源和物质资源仍然不足以满足口腔保健服务的需求，也无法为所有人提供服务，特别是在发展中国家和发达国家中处于不利地位的社区。此外，尽管最普遍的疾病是可以预防的，但并非所有人群都充分了解或能够利用适当的口腔健康促进措施。此外，在许多国家，口腔保健需要充分纳入国家或社区卫生计划。在发展中国家，改善口腔健康是一个极具挑战性的目标，但在发达国家也是如此，尤其是随着人口老龄化的加速，这一趋势在未来几年将加剧。
