Policy document: the dental needs of children.

The past two decades have seen substantial changes in child dental health and developments in the dental services available to children. Dental caries in children has declined, but there is still a considerable amount of dental need. The School Dental Service has evolved into the Community Dental Service which is now changing its emphasis towards special groups and away from routine dental care for children. Children are being treated increasingly in the general dental services, with the possibility of a capitation scheme being introduced nationally. The debate on the desirable frequency of attendance for dental check-ups may affect dental care of children in the long term. The British Paedodontic Society wishes to draw attention to the implications that some of these changes may have for the future dental health of children.