Tanden Frisk

Tanden Frisk is a dental health project within SOGH to address the knowledge gap in oral health caused by socioeconomic factors and lack of awareness. This project works to diminish inequality regarding oral health, dental caries frequency and improve oral health-related quality of life. This is done by educating key stakeholders and vulnerable groups, i.e., children, pregnant women, and the elderly, about oral health care, focusing on socioeconomically deprived groups in Sweden.

Addressing the knowledge gap in oral health

Within western society, it is widely acknowledged that oral health impacts the overall quality of life, yet oral diseases such as caries and periodontitis are common. Despite increased public knowledge regarding oral health, there is a vast knowledge gap between oral health care providers and patients regarding oral hygiene and personal oral health care. This dearth of knowledge may lead to poor dental status and a lack of motivation to improve oral hygiene and dental health. It is essential to increase patient understanding and give them the proper prerequisites to maintain adequate oral health. The focus of modern dentistry is the prevention of oral diseases such as caries. With appropriate home care, caries and other oral diseases can most often be prevented, or the progression is stopped or at least slowed down. In Sweden, more than 70% of the population visits the dentist regularly for check-ups and/or treatments. Despite this, caries are still common in the population (Socialstyrelsen 2018).