Dental public health is essential to the practice of dentistry as it puts dentistry in context within society and seeks to answer questions at a population level. This introductory book aims to stimulate the reader's interest and encourage a questioning approach to dental public health issues and their relationship to clinical practice. Divided into four sections, the book covers the philosophy and basis of the subject, the epidemiology of oral diseases, oral health promotion and oral health services. Essential Dental Public Health serves as a practical and relevant overview of the subject. It includes summaries of the points made with 'take home' messages to apply to practice. Where appropriate, problems are included so that the student may learn by problem solving. Further reading lists are provided allowing information in related subjects that are beyond the scope of this book. The reader will gain an understanding of the principles of dental public health sufficient for an undergraduate dental student. The book provides material to fulfil their requirements but also provides and excellent introduction for anyone looking for more detailed knowledge.

Part I: Principles of Dental Public Health 1. Introduction to the principles of public health 2. Determinants of health 3. Definitions of health 4. Public health approaches to prevention Part II: Epidemiology 5. Overview of epidemiology 6. Trends in oral health 7. Evidence based dentistry 8. Critical appraisal of literature Part III: Prevention and Oral Health Promotion 9. Principles of oral health promotion 10. Overview of behaviour change 11. Oral health education in dental practice settings 12. Sugars and caries prevention 13. Fluoride and fissure prevention 14. Prevention of periodontal diseases 15. Oral cancer prevention 16. Public health approaches to the prevention of traumatic dental injuries Part IV: Health Services 17. Overview of healthcare systems 18. The structure of the NHS in the UK 19. The structure of dental services in the UK 20. The European Union and dentistry 21. Planning dental services 22. Health economics 23. Problems with health services 24. Dental organisations

Blanaid Daly , King's College Medical and Dental School, London, UK, Richard G. Watt , Reader, Royal Free and University College Medical School, University College, London, UK, Paul Batchelor , Senior Lecturer and Consultant in Dental Public Health, University College London and Eastman Dental Hospital, UK, Elizabeth T. Treasure , Professor of Dental Public Health, Dental Public Health Unit, The Dental School, Cardiff, UK