A spotlight on early childhood caries: The health visitor role

Abstract

Despite the well documented risk factors for dental caries, the condition is common, affecting just under a quarter of 5-year-old children in England. Dental caries can have a significant impact on a child's oral health and general wellbeing. However, the condition is largely preventable, and healthy dietary choices and good oral hygiene practices are key to preventing development of dental caries. Often, risk factors are well established prior to a child being seen by a dental professional. Promoting healthy choices from infancy is key in reducing prevalence of the condition. However, with difficulty accessing dental care in the UK increasingly reported, other health professionals, such as health visitors, have a pivotal role in raising awareness of the condition, providing advice and signposting to dental care.