title: Accumulated knowledge and prevention practices in oral health.
abstract: This text begins by reflecting on health promotion and equity/ inequity. In health, inequity is understood as a political concept that has moral implications and that is committed to social justice. A discussion follows on some issues regarding the risk and prevention of diseases, still considered a hegemonic practice, and lack of experience in oral health-care, bearing in mind the concept of vulnerability. The risk is probabilistic and involves the mathematical chances of acquiring a disease in a certain group, whereas vulnerability addresses the potential of acquiring or not acquiring a disease in a certain environment. The need for systematic studies on determinants is stressed, with the ultimate goal of improving health and reducing inequities, and with the concern and political intention of including health equity in governmental policies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, School of Dentistry, Univ Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Efigênia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ferreira e Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Community Health, Bauru School of Dentistry, Univ de São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nilce Emy
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Tomita
authors.affiliation: Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais, Univ de São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gisele da Silva
authors.initials: Gda S
authors.lastname: Dalben
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000639:trends*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D009909:Oral Health / Q000639:trends*; D011322:Primary Prevention; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors