Bad prospects if tooth decay is not tackled early

_{Victorian view: 'A First Visit to the Dentist’ by the English painter Edward Hughes, 1866 (www.bridgemanart.com )}

SIR – The latest Children’s Dental Health Survey showed some improvements, but the continued presence of early childhood caries (ECC) is very worrying.

This condition, whereby baby teeth are seriously damaged by tooth decay, is the result of a lack of dental knowledge by young parents. Early diagnosis and preventive care, with effective tooth-cleaning using a fluoride toothpaste and reduced consumption of sugary drinks, can minimise or even prevent ECC. Infants of school age without dental caries are likely to remain free of decay until adulthood.

We need a national campaign, led by ante-natal groups, new-baby classes and community nurses, to encourage all young parents to take their baby to a dentist before their first birthday.

Martin Curzon
Emeritus Professor of Child Dental Health
Northallerton, North Yorkshire