Overview of oral and dental healthcare in Dubai health authority: status, gaps, and initiatives, 2016-2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-2156.IntJSciRep20232172Keywords:
Current status, Oral and dental care, InitiativesAbstract
This article provides an overview of the current status of oral and dental healthcare within the Dubai health authority (DHA) and highlights the gaps and the impact of initiatives implemented between 2016 and 2021. The oral and dental care program, part of the Dubai health strategy 2016-2021, aimed to enhance oral and dental care by ensuring widespread access to high-quality treatments and effective prevention programs. To gain a comprehensive understanding, an initial assessment of the current state of oral and dental care was conducted with the assistance of an external consultant. This assessment encompassed a review of existing clinical guidelines, frameworks, and awareness initiatives, as well as an evaluation of the patient journey and accessibility. While noteworthy innovative measures were already in place, certain gaps were identified, and recommendations were proposed to address them. Subsequently, specific initiatives and programs were implemented in alignment with these recommendations to bridge the identified gaps. A notable achievement was the development of the Dubai dental protocol, which governs a patient-centered model of care and emphasizes a life-course approach to dental health promotion, addressing the diverse stages of life from pre-pregnancy to geriatric care.
Metrics
References
Dubai Health Strategy 2016-2021. Available at: https://www.dha.gov.ae/ar/uploads/062022/Dubai_Health_Strategy_2016-2021_En2022649600.pdf. Accessed on 26 May, 2023.
Dubai Health Authority holds meeting to discuss strategy update. Available at: https://www.dha. gov.ae/en/media/news/392. Accessed on 26 May, 2023.
The Dubai Health Authority launches ‘DentOral’ programme. Available at: https://www.dha.gov. ae/en/media/news/539. Accessed on 26 May, 2023.
Al Mashhadani SS. National Survey of the Oral Health Status of School Children in Dubai, UAE. EC Dental Sci. 2017;8(2):48-58.
Al-Bluwi GS. Epidemiology of dental caries in children in the United Arab Emirates. Int Dent J. 2014;64(4):219-28.
Al Anouti F, Abboud M, Papandreou D, Haidar S, Mahboub N, Rizk R. Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. Front Oral Health. 2021;2:744328.
Allareddy V, Nalliah RP, Haque M, Johnson H, Tech SRB, Lee MK. Hospital-based emergency department visits with dental conditions among children in the United States: Nationwide epidemiological data. Pediatr Dent. 2014;36(5):393-9.
Thompson CL, McCann AL, Schneiderman ED. Does the Texas First Dental Home program improve parental oral care knowledge and practices? Pediatr Dent. 2017;39(2):124-9.
Nowak AJ, Casamassimo PS. The dental home: A primary oral health concept. J Am Dent Assoc. 2002;133(1):93-8.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy People 2020: Oral health of children and adolescents. Available at: “http://www.healthy people.gov/2020/topicsobjectives/topic/oral-health/objectives. Accessed on 26 May, 2023.
http://www.aapd.org/media//Policies_Guidelines/P_DentalHome.pdf 24. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Definition of dental home. Pediatr Dent 2018;40(6):12.
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Dental home resource center. Available at: http://www.aapd. org/ advocacy/dentalhome/. Accessed on 26 May, 2023.
How dentists and dental care professionals can adopt a patient‑centred approach. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng30/chapter/Recommendations#how-dentists-anddental-care-professionals-can-adopt-a-patient-centred-approach. Accessed on 26 May, 2023.
United Arab Emirates-Dental Public Health Programs implemented by Dental Services Department, Dubai. Available at: https://capp.mau. se/bank-of-ideas/united-arab-emirates-dental-public-health-programs-implemented-by-dental-services-department-dubai. Accessed on 26 May, 2023.
Dubai health professionals promote healthy smiles. BDJ Team. 2017;4:17074.
Dubai Smiles Healthy Manual. Available at: https://cappmediaprodst.blob.core.windows.net/media/1782/dubai-smiles-healthy-school-practice-manual.pdf. Accessed on 26 May, 2023.
United Arab Emirates-MY SMILE” -tooth brushing program for school children in Dubai, UAE. Available at: https://capp.mau.se/bank-of-ideas/united-arab-emirates-my-smile-tooth-brushing-program-for-school-children-in-dubai-uae. Accessed on 26 May, 2023.
Shiamaa Shihab Al Mashhadani. Tooth Brushing Schemes in Dubai Schools, A Step Forward in Oral Health Prevention. EC Dental Sci. 2017;11(3):88-94.
Dubai Health Authority’s dental department expands network of specialised services. Available at: https://www.dha.gov.ae/en/media/news/85. Accessed on 26 May, 2023.
DHA launches health awareness campaign targeting Expo 2020 labour workers. Available at: https://www.dha.gov.ae/en/media/news/608. Accessed on 26 May, 2023.
John S, Al Mesmar MS. Oral Health Status, Oral Hygiene Practices, and Factors Affecting Dental Treatment Utilization among Pregnant Women in Dubai. Dubai Med J. 2021;4(4):320-8.
AlMesmar H, Saleh N, AlMashhadani S, Farghali K. The detection of pre-diabetic patients in the dental setting. Dental Res Manag. 2019;3:56-63.
Around 850 thalassemia patients to undergo dental and oral screening. Available at: https://www.dha.gov.ae/en/media/news/589. Accessed on 26 May, 2023.
Dubai Health Authority’s dental services witness increase in number of patients. Available at https://www.dha.gov.ae/en/media/news/4
DHA’s Primary Health Care Centers (PHC) launch annual book. Available at: https://www.dha. gov.ae/en/media/news/155. Accessed on 26 May, 2023.
Humaid Al Qatami HE. "DHA spares no effort in utilizing smart technology especially 3D printing in diagnosing, preventing and treating patients". Available at https://www.dha.gov.ae/en/ media/news/156. Accessed on 26 May, 2023.
Dubai Health Authority bags two golden International Stevie Awards. Available at: https://www.dha.gov.ae/en/media/news/548. Accessed on 26 May, 2023.
Guidelines for pediatric dentistry. Available at: https://www.dha.gov.ae/uploads/112021/920f034a-bf39-4197-8000-8bb0b2fb5cd4.pdf. Accessed on 26 May, 2023.
Director of Dental Department answers publics’ queries during Leaders at Your Service session. Available at: https://www.dha.gov.ae/en/ media/news/366. Accessed on 26 May, 2023.
Preventive dental service. Topical Fluoride application/Pit and fissure sealant to strengthen the teeth, and reduce/prevent decay. Available at: https://www.dha.gov.ae/en/services/details?id=48. Accessed on 26 May, 2023.
Dubai Health Authority’s smart clinic discusses importance of oral hygiene. Available at: https://www.dha.gov.ae/en/media/news/27. Accessed on 26 May, 2023.
DHA launches new dental appointments model. Available at https://www.dha.gov.ae/en/media/ news/599. Accessed on 26 May, 2023.
Policies and regulations- Dental Services Guidelines. Available at: https://www.dha.gov.ae/en/licensing-regulations-dental. Accessed on 26 May, 2023.
Guidelines for the Provision of Dental Services during COVID-19. Version 2. Available at: https://www.dha.gov.ae/en/uploads/112021/8e4ad8ac-cd05-430b-b843-da811e214d67.pdf. Accessed on 26 May, 2023.
