Delivering better oral health: an evidence-based toolkit for prevention The British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (BASCD)

Can be downloaded from http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_078742

Prudently, after publishing Choosing better oral health: an oral health plan for England in 2005, the Department of Health commissioned BASCD to produce a prevention toolkit as a guide to delivering it.

Delivering better oral health: an evidence-based toolkit for prevention, published in 2007, is the result. It is targeted at all members of the dental team and has been welcomed and well-received at all levels. I find it clear, simple, unequivocal and practical. The summary section is succinct and easy to read. Its graded evidence base is reassuring for clinicians and oral health promoters who need to be sure that the advice they give to people can be substantiated.

In terms of content there will be few detractors, save a small number for whom fluorosis continues to cause concern. The inclusion of stop smoking advice and information about support for alcohol misuse validates the inherent common risk factor in dental and general health, and corroborates the role of the dental team in promoting healthy lifestyles. Nevertheless, it is important that alongside support for self-help, dental public health continues to work with other approaches to effect change on broader fronts. Perhaps too, a time to reflect on the evidence base for continuing to advise that a particular toothbrushing technique is better than others.

Inevitably, there will be those who question the ability to deliver better oral health within the limits of the dental contract, but this toolkit surely enables the delivery of preventive advice to be both realistic and feasible in general practice. PCTs will need to find imaginative and innovative ways to encourage them to do so.

The opportunity presents itself for health-promoting dental practices in England to be giving universal, unambiguous advice to all patients, including those with dental disease and those most at risk of developing disease. This toolkit is as valuable to oral health promoters and public health practitioners working to reduce inequalities in oral health with whole communities, half of which may never present themselves to dentists, unless for emergency treatment.

With a recent clear statement from the prime minister that the NHS needs to focus on the prevention of disease, and with the publication of this evidence-based toolkit for prevention, it will be disappointing if dentistry failed to respond.