Introduction

Health professionals maintain health in humans through the application of the principles and procedures of evidence-based medicine and caring. Health professionals study, diagnose, treat and prevent human illness, injury and other physical and mental impairments in accordance with the needs of the populations they serve. They advise on or apply preventive and curative measures, and promote health with the ultimate goal of meeting the health needs and expectations of individuals and populations, and improving population health outcomes. They also conduct research and improve or develop concepts, theories and operational methods to advance evidence-based health care. Their duties may include the supervision of other health workers.

A health professional (or healthcare professional) may provide health care treatment and advice based on formal training and experience. The field includes those who work as a medical doctor (such as family physician, internist, obstetrician, psychiatrist, radiologist, surgeon etc), physician assistant, veterinarian, veterinary technician, veterinary assistant, pharmacist, pharmacy technician, medical assistant, nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, dentist, midwife, psychologist, or who perform services in allied health professions. A health professional may also be an expert in public health or community health.

The healthcare workforce comprises a wide variety of professions and occupations who provide some type of healthcare service, including such direct care practitioners as physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, respiratory therapists, dentists, pharmacists, speech-language pathologist, physical therapists, occupational therapists, physical and behavior therapists, as well as allied health professionals such as phlebotomists, medical laboratory scientists, dieticians, and social workers. They often work in hospitals, healthcare centres and other service delivery points, but also in academic training, research, and administration. Some provide care and treatment services for patients in private homes. Many countries have a large number of community health workers who work outside formal healthcare institutions. Managers of healthcare services, health information technicians, and other assistive personnel and support workers are also considered a vital part of health care teams.

Dental health professionals

Dentists are your first point of contact for all oral health needs. Dentists and other oral health professionals treat and help prevent oral health problems, the most common of which are tooth cavities and gum disease. Most dentists recommend a check-up every six to 12 months. However, if you take good care of your teeth and gums at home and do not have any ongoing problems, your dentist may recommend a longer time between visits.

Dentists and other oral health professionals can detect problems in the mouth that may indicate problems elsewhere in the body, such as heart disease. Most dentists work in private practice. A small number work in public dentistry, dental hospitals or in the armed services. Dentists who are qualified to work in Victoria have completed a degree in dentistry, dental science or dental surgery at university. There are different kinds of RFID applications that allow healthcare professionals to avoid errors or risks that could endanger the patient safety.

Journal of Healthcare Communications is a journal publishes Quarterly in English language. We welcome original research articles, review articles, editorials, case reports, and others from any part of the world. Manuscripts are reviewed by members of the international editorial board and our expert peer reviewers, then either accepted for publication or rejected by the chief editor. Shorter articles are particularly welcome.

Submit manuscript at www.imedpub.com/submissions/healthcare-communications.html or send as an e-mail attachment to the Editorial Office at editor@imedpub.com