Importance of Oral Health Prevention

Abstract

Oral health is a fundamental component of overall well-being, and prevention plays a key role in maintaining it. Despite the implementation of educational and preventive interventions, dental caries and periodontal disease remain prevalent in the population, highlighting the need for effective oral health promotion strategies. This study aimed to quantify dental and periodontal treatment needs according to age groups and sociodemographic characteristics, and to estimate the cost potentially avoidable through the effective prevention of these diseases. An observational, descriptive, and analytical study was conducted using a database of clinical records from 205 patients aged 20 years and older, collected between 2023 and 2024. A non-probabilistic convenience sampling method was employed, and sociodemographic and clinical variables were analyzed. Unit costs for dental treatments were estimated to determine the cost potentially avoidable through effective prevention. The estimated cost of the required dental care was C$21,126.25 per person, suggesting that effective prevention could avoid a substantial proportion of treatment-related costs and allow those resources to be redirected toward other healthcare needs, particularly among older age groups, where treatment needs accumulate over time. In conclusion, the timely implementation of preventive strategies in the Nicaraguan population not only improves oral health but could also substantially reduce the costs associated with dental care, highlighting the importance of health education and the promotion of oral self-care from an early age.