Published12 June 2014
Last updated 10 September 2025 — See all updates
Documents
Chapter 1:
introduction
Chapter 2: summary guidance
tables for dental teams
Chapter 3: behaviour
change
Chapter 4: dental
caries
Chapter 5: periodontal
diseases
Chapter 6: oral
cancer
Chapter 7: tooth
wear
Chapter 8: oral
hygiene
Chapter 9: fluoride
Chapter 10: healthier
eating
Chapter 11: smoking and tobacco
use
Chapter 12: alcohol
Chapter 13: evidence base for
recommendations in the summary guidance tables
Appendix: clinical case
studies
Acknowledgments
Endorsements
Template letter for clinician to
contact diabetes physician
Template letter for clinician to
contact diabetes physician
Template letter for clinician to
contact physician about gingival enlargement
Template letter for clinician to
contact physician about gingival enlargement
Diet diary example
Fluoride content of
toothpastes
Fluoride content of
toothpastes
Details
This guidance provides evidence-based interventions and advice on
how dental health professionals can improve and maintain the oral
and general health of their patients.
Many of the risk factors for general health conditions also
affect oral health, such as:
- poor diet
- smoking
- alcohol misuse
The guidance includes advice on how to prevent the main oral
diseases, dental caries, periodontal diseases, oral cancer and
tooth wear (which can be found in chapter 2) with additional
advice on:
- the use of fluoride
- brushing your teeth
- eating a healthy balanced diet
- stopping tobacco use
- drinking within the lower risk alcohol guidelines
- how to support behaviour change
The guidance is the result of a comprehensive review of published
research evidence on prevention and draws on a UK wide
collaboration of over 100 well respected experts including
frontline dental teams and patient representatives.
