Chief dentists' perceived strengths and weaknesses of oral health promotion activities in Malaysia

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to get the Malaysian chief dentists' perceptions of the oral health promotion activities currently taking place in their respective states in terms of the strengths and weaknesses of these activities. A qualitative method using an open-ended questionnaire was used to obtain this information. The study samples consist of all the chief dentists in Malaysia who represented a majority of population in their states. The results showed that the main current oral health promotion activities is dental health education talks which aims to disseminate oral health information through health education talks, toothbrushing drills, dental exhibition, pamphlets, brochures and publications. Half of the respondents felt that the commitment of the staff, the support of the public sectors and collaboration with other agencies are the main strengths while the lack of staff and fund has been said as the weaknesses. A range of opportunities however exist to strengthen oral health promotion in Malaysia.