First tooth, first visit, zero cavities: a review of the evidence as it applies to Ireland

Title: First tooth, first visit, zero cavities: a review of the evidence as it applies to Ireland Authors: Duane, Brett; McGovern, Eleanor; Ní Chaollaí, Aifric; FitzGerald, Kirsten Abstract: In recent years several studies have demonstrated that dental caries is already well established by the time a child reaches three years of age. In Scotland, for example, three-year-old children had a caries prevalence of 25%, with a higher rate of 32% in children living in deprived areas, when examined in 2007/2008.1 In England in 2013, 12% of three-year-old children had experienced dental decay and those children with dental disease had approximately three teeth that were decayed, missing or filled.