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University study on care of baby teeth
DENTAL experts at the University of Sheffield are taking part in a £2.8 million study to probe the best way to manage tooth decay in young children.
City experts are involved in the UK-wide research lead by the University of Dundee to find the best method of treating problems in the first set of teeth
As many as 40 per cent of children need treatment for decay in their baby teeth - a figure which has not changed in 20 years.
The new research, commissioned by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment, aims to find the most effective way to improve care for the thousands of children aged three to seven who have dental decay.
A total of 1,348 youngsters will be taking part in the study in dental practices across the UK.
Professor Chris Deery, from the University of Sheffield's Department of Dentistry, which will be analysing the results, said: "We at the University of Sheffield are delighted to be part of this collaboration, the results of which have the potential to improve the dental care and health of so many children."
Currently only around 12 per cent of decayed baby teeth in five-year-olds are treated with fillings and although the vast majority of decayed first teeth are left untreated, some youngsters still need dental extractions under general anaesthetic to solve a painful problem.
The research team will look into three different ways of treating decay in baby teeth. They will compare the use of conventional fillings which involves drilling and anaesthetic, with biological treatments - where dentists seal decay into teeth without using injections or dental drills - against the benefits of preventative advice such as offering more guidance on toothbrushing, eating less sugar in the diet and having varnish applied to teeth to stop decay.
Dentists from general dental practices throughout the UK where children who attend for regular dental care will be invited to take part.
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