Sharea Ijaz, Ayyaz Ali Khan.
Approaches to primary oral health care: a case of Pakistan.
J Pak Dent Assoc Jan ;14(1):7-12.

Primary health care approach has become a core concept for World Health Organization since 1977. This concept is based on universal access to care; Commitment to health equity; Community participation in health agendas; and inter-sectoral approaches to health. Many developing countries have in the recent past attempted to define and specify the contents of primary oral health care. However, there is no gold standard that can be applied universally. It is therefore imperative that each country determines its own model of primary oral health care in accordance to the perceived needs of its population and the resources available to address these needs. The burden of oral disease particularly caries and periodontal disease in Pakistan is particularly severe in vulnerable populations and public health capacity for provision of oral health care is dilute and not integrated with PHC. The current situation with huge unmet treatment needs, the striking inequality in delivery systems and the virtual non-existence of an adequate community oriented prevention calls for a turn towards an oral care system that meets the principles of primary health care (PHC). Based on the existing evidence this paper attempts to take up Oral Health Sector of Pakistan as a case for Primary Health Care Approach, define contents of care and suggest innovations to improve access to this care. These innovations can then be field tested to recommend an appropriate model for primary oral health care in the country.

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