A comparison of the dental health of 5-year-old children from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1984 and 1987.

In 1984, Greater Glasgow Health Board commissioned a study of 5-year-old children to provide information for the planning of dental services. The study revealed high levels of caries prevalence in these children. As a preventive dental care programme has been introduced for pre-school children, a new investigation was undertaken in 1987 to assess whether there had been any improvement in caries prevalence in 5-year-olds. The study also compared caries prevalence in children from good and deprived socio-economic areas. Comparison of mean scores for all children in 1984 and 1987 showed reductions in dmft components with a 17% fall in mean dmft. However, when examined by socioeconomic group, significant differences in caries levels were noted. While there has been an improvement in dental health in 5-year-old children, the dental health divide between children from good and deprived areas has widened over time.