Preventing dental caries in children: why improving children's oral health is everybody's business.

Despite being largely preventable, dental caries is one of the most common diseases both in the UK and worldwide. Unmanaged dental caries may adversely impact a child and their quality of life. All healthcare professionals who have contact with children have an important role to play in improving the oral health of their patients. This can be achieved by delivering consistent, structured and supportive preventive messages and signposting to dental professionals when required. This paper outlines evidence-based guidance that should be followed to prevent dental caries, both on an individual and population basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]