Does age of first dental attendance influence later oral health
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A study to investigate the relationship between the oral health status of children aged 5 to 12 years and age of dental first attendance
IRAS ID
246359
Contact name
Jennifer Parry
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Kent
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
Child Dental Health Surveys in England continue to show no significant reductions in the dental disease of the under 5s. Much of this may be attributed to the fact that less than 12% of children are seen by a dentist for their first dental check before they reach their second birthday and with only 20% of children aged 12-24 months attending and only 33% of under five years attending a dentist. As a consequence of this persistent disease level, NHS spends in excess of £35 million/annum on hospital based tooth extractions for children. In addition, NHS England bears the significant costs of unscheduled dental care appointments attendance at GP for dental pain and sepsis, inappropriate presentations at A&E and repeat prescriptions of antibiotics and analgesia. NHS England has commenced a programme called “Starting Well” which commenced in 01 April 2018 and aims to raise public and professional awareness to promote the timely attendance of children aged 0-2 years. The background to the campaign is the belief that visiting the dentist at an early age will result in better oral health for children. This study seeks to investigate the relationship between the oral health status of children aged 5 to 12 years and age of dental first attendance. A tooth and gum examination will be carried out for children aged 5 to 12 years. The levels of tooth and gum health will be recorded. This study aims to identify whether variation in the age of first dental attendance can be attributed to later oral health status in children.
REC name
London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/1363
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jul 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion