Oral health care and preventive strategies in Albania--a country in transition.

Reforms and big changes have occurred in oral health care in Albania, as in all the other East European countries after 1990. Reforms were characterised by privatisation, decentralisation, and new forms of financing, planning and managing of dental services. Following that, two forms of oral health care provision currently exist: a public service and a private service. Changes have also occurred in dental education. Studies on oral health status of the population recently showed a higher prevalence of oral diseases when compared to that before 1990. A new oral health strategy, based on a preventive approach has been started, focused on wide and regular use of fluoridated toothpaste, dental health education and promotion, sealant application and annual oral examinations.