Partnerships for better oral health

Abstract

Improving oral health in populations who do not easily access the private dental office or the available community care site is a challenge to dental hygienists and others concerned with the health and well-being of all. Partnerships for improved oral health have been part of the community health efforts for many years and in many countries. With the knowledge, skills, and resources that are held by specific groups and organisations combined into a larger entity of a partnership or coalition, greater impact on oral health issue may be possible. Agencies and individuals interested in making improvements in oral health status in any particular target group may begin a process of working with others who have an interest in improving the health and well being of that target group. In a world that is increasingly synergistic and mutually dependent, improvements in oral health can be advanced by considering the elements of successful coalition building and forming partnerships with multiple organisations and individuals.

Collaboration between dental faculties and National Dental Associations (NDAs) within the World Dental Federation-European Regional Organization zone: an NDAs perspective

“…Agencies and individuals interested in making improvements in oral health status in any particular target group may begin a process of working with others who have an interest in improving the health and well‐being of that target group. In a world that is increasingly synergistic and mutually dependent, improvements in oral health can be advanced by considering the elements of successful coalition building and by forming partnerships with multiple organizations and individuals 5 . Collaborative partnerships (people and organizations from multiple sectors working together in a common purpose) are a prominent strategy for community health improvement 6,11 .…”

“…) 1,2 . Further, many health professions, payers, institutional organisations, governmental bodies, nongovernmental organisations and private sectors, each having their own weaknesses and strengths, are involved, and their interaction in the form of partnerships and collaboration is crucial for the improvement of health and the provision of healthcare services 3–8 . Increasing areas of collaboration and widening extents of partnerships between various health professions, health disciplines, specialities, governmental and nongovernmental organizations and health professionals are both expected and experienced each day and in every field of health 3–7 .…”

“…Further, many health professions, payers, institutional organisations, governmental bodies, nongovernmental organisations and private sectors, each having their own weaknesses and strengths, are involved, and their interaction in the form of partnerships and collaboration is crucial for the improvement of health and the provision of healthcare services 3–8 . Increasing areas of collaboration and widening extents of partnerships between various health professions, health disciplines, specialities, governmental and nongovernmental organizations and health professionals are both expected and experienced each day and in every field of health 3–7 . Partnerships in translation for advancing research and clinical care are likely to be important areas in which further interaction is needed 9 , and community health efforts also require similar collaboration, partnerships and synergy among various stakeholders 6 . The same is true with regard to oral health and oral health services 5,10–12 .…”

“…Increasing areas of collaboration and widening extents of partnerships between various health professions, health disciplines, specialities, governmental and nongovernmental organizations and health professionals are both expected and experienced each day and in every field of health 3–7 . Partnerships in translation for advancing research and clinical care are likely to be important areas in which further interaction is needed 9 , and community health efforts also require similar collaboration, partnerships and synergy among various stakeholders 6 . The same is true with regard to oral health and oral health services 5,10–12 .…”

“…Partnerships for improved oral health have been part of community health efforts for many years and in many countries. When the knowledge, skills and resources that are held by specific groups and organizations are combined into a larger entity of a partnership or coalition, a greater impact on oral health issues may be possible 5,11 . It is clear that the public’s access to oral health care can be improved through partnerships (e.g.…”