School Dental Preventive Program in National Guard Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Ali Alehaideb, Mohammed Al Ousaimi, Anna Ali and Abeer Al Subait
School dental preventive program SDPP is a recent development occurred in Ministry of National Guard Saudi Arabia to provide preventive and curative care to the school going age children. SDPP has started in 2007 and is providing education, preventive and curative treatment to more than 15000 children. The program also includes school surveys and education about healthy nutrition programs by rationalizing the consumption of sugar and the quality of food provided to children in schools and reducing sugars and sugar-sweetened beverages. The program also includes fluoride and pit and fissure sealants and restorations for decayed teeth along with teaching proper brushing technique. SDPP encourages the effective use of portable dental units for the delivery of preventive care to children in schools without the need for children to go to dental clinics. This report highlights the importance of preventive dentistry that should be encouraged and practiced worldwide.