title: Health and fitness series--2. Dental decay and the case for fluoride.
abstract: A former Chief Dental Officer explains the use of fluoride in preventing dental caries. He discusses the causes and process of dental caries and the basic health education messages to communicate to the public. Although the incidence of dental caries has reduced in the UK, mainly due to greater use of fluoride, decay remains prevalent among socially and economically disadvantaged groups. Dental health promotion is also needed for young parents who, having good teeth themselves, do not always realise that their children are still at risk of caries. Parents are not always aware of how to prevent dental caries in their children.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mouatt
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004037:Diet, Cariogenic; D005457:Fluoridation / Q000379:methods*; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014100:Toothpastes; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014944:World Health Organization
chemical_list: D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides