Improving children’s oral health in Wales through partnership

Giving every child the best start in life is crucial to reduce poor oral health in later life. What is not generally appreciated, until confronted by the morbidity associated with untreated tooth decay, is how integral good oral health is to a child’s overall health. As less than 3% of children in the UK visit a dentist before their first birthday, it is important for paediatricians to be aware of the risk factors for dental caries, particularly the structural determinants of oral health, and can provide evidence-based prevention advice. 1