Epidemiology and oral diseases

SOYEBO O.A

Outline
Introduction to Epidemiology Definition of Epidemiology Scope Achievement Cause and Effect Guidelines for Causation Epidemiology and Prevention i. Levels of Prevention ii. Screening Conclusion

Introduction
Originated from the idea that environmental factors has an influence on occurrence of diseases. E.g. the work of John Snow. The epidemiologic approach of comparing disease rate between sub-groups of human population as is being used today has given a clue to the effect of environmental factors in causation of diseases. More recent development of epidemiology is exemplified by the study of the association of lung cancer with cigarette smoking done in the 1950s

Definitions
The study of the distribution and determinants of health related states or events in specified populations and the application of this study to control of health problems (Last 1995) The orderly study of diseases and conditions where the group and not the individual is the unit of interest (Mausner and Kramer 1985) The scientific method of studying diseases in populations A basic medical sciences with the goal of improving the health of populations