[Prevention on track? Reinforcement requested].

Abstract

The improvement of the dentition of children starting in the seventies of last century has come to a halt. There are indications that the interest of children and young parents in dental health is declining. The government shows fewer activities to inform the public on dental health issue by mass communication. The future of dental health education by child care organisations or school medical services is uncertain. A great deal of dental health education has to be given in the dental office. In spite of all the preventive efforts in the past, there is a group of children still at high risk for dental caries. Older people may all become at risk when the interest in dental health or the ability for self care declines. New ways are to be sought to motivate these risk groups for adequate dental care. Parents, teachers, school medical services but also children of older people and volunteer and professional aid for the elderly should be involved.