Inequalities in children's caries experience: the nature and size of the UK problem.

OBJECTIVE

To discuss, as part of a symposium on 'Dental Care for the Disadvantaged Child', the inequalities in caries experience between a minority of children who demonstrate substantial dental disease and have, as a consequence, a considerable need for dental care and the majority who have little disease.

METHOD

1. Analysing data from regular NHS surveys of the dental health of British children in a number of defined age groups and examining socio-economic factors which operate and influence levels of dental caries to answer questions such as "Do we understand which children need and get appropriate dental care?". 2) Considering how appropriate future needs may be identified and addressed, and the gap between academic acceptance of new methodology and use by dental professionals may be narrowed.

CONCLUSIONS

Integrated approaches to prevention should be focused on those children who have the greatest need in addition to the provision of appropriate, clinically effective, preventive and operative care for all children.