Date of Award

3-2009

Document Type

Master's Project

Degree Name

Master of Science in Dental Hygiene (MSDH)

Department

Dental Hygiene

Committee Director

Rodney C. Johns (Director)

Committee Member

Michele L. Darby (Member)

Abstract

This paper is a review of literature describing the educational, healthcare delivery and healthcare finance systems in Kenya. The document discusses the unmet oral health needs of the Kenyan population and how implementing the role of the dental hygienist would positively impact oral health promotion throughout the country. Kenyan communities experience all of the major environmental determinants of oral disease, e.g., widespread poverty, underdevelopment, outdated dental equipment, insufficient supply and distribution of qualified dental care professionals and lack of preventive oral health services. About six in ten Kenyans are unable to afford healthcare, clothing, or food; therefore, oral healthcare has a very low priority. More focus is placed on crisis care rather than preventive services. Based on this review, it was concluded that Kenya is in great need of preventive oral health services and that dental hygienists could contribute to the oral healthcare system and oral status of the population.

Comments

A Review of the Literature Submitted to the Faculty of Old Dominion University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Science in Dental Hygiene

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