FDI global survey shows children are not getting dental check-ups early enough

Geneva, 20 March 2018 – On the occasion of World Oral Health Day, FDI World Dental Federation asked parents around the world how they cared for their children’s oral health growing up and the responses suggest room for improvement. Maintaining a healthy mouth is crucial to keeping it functioning correctly and for maintaining general health and well-being.

A survey carried out in 10 countries found that only 13% of parents with children aged 18 and under took their child to the dentist before their first birthday – the recommended age for a first dental visit. Most parents first took their child to the dentist when they were between one and three years old (24%) or between four and six years old (22%), while 20% of parents reported never having taken their child for a dental check-up.

“It's worrying to learn that most children are not getting a dental check-up at the recommended age,” said Dr Kathryn Kell, FDI President. “Good oral health habits start early. Parents should visit the dentist after their child’s first tooth starts erupting as a preventive measure to avoid risk of developing early childhood caries. Oral diseases can impact every aspect of life and are associated with many general health conditions. This World Oral Health Day, we want people to make the connection between their oral health and general health and understand the impact that one has on the other. Knowing how to protect your mouth and body at all ages contributes to a better quality of life.”

Half (50%) of the parents who had taken their child to the dentist identified the reason as being a regular dental check-up. However, while this was the most frequent answer in the United Kingdom (82%), Sweden (77%), Argentina (65%), France (63%), the United States (63%), Australia (56%), and China (34%); the most reported response for going to the dentist in Egypt, the Philippines, and Morocco was pain or discomfort in their child’s mouth (56%, 43% and 38% respectively).

More than two-fifths (43%) of parents with children aged 18 and under said that they personally ensured their child’s teeth were brushed before bed time to avoid oral diseases – a key message promoted by FDI. The survey also showed that 40% of parents supervised their child’s toothbrushing twice a day, and 38% of them said they limited sugary foods and drinks in their child’s diet to avoid oral diseases. Only 26% reported to have personally cleaned their child’s teeth from as soon as the first tooth pushed out, and merely 8% mentioned having encouraged their child to wearing a mouthguard when playing sports.

FDI recommends practicing good oral care, avoiding risk factors such as an unhealthy diet – particularly one high in sugar, and having regular dental check-ups to protect oral health and general health at all ages. Parents should start cleaning their child’s teeth before bed time when the first tooth starts pushing through, supervise children’s toothbrushing twice a day with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste, and schedule regular dental check-ups starting no later than the first birthday.

Media contact
Claudia Marquina, FDI Communications and Advocacy Manager
[email protected] | Tel: +41 22 560 8137

About World Oral Health Day

Celebrated annually on 20 March, World Oral Health Day (WOHD) was launched by FDI World Dental Federation to raise global awareness on the prevention and control of oral diseases. www.worldoralhealthday.org; #WOHD18 #SayAhh

WOHD Global Partners: Henry Schein, Philips Sonicare, Unilever; and WOHD Supporters: Planmeca, Wrigley

About the Survey

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 11,552 adults, of which 4,056 were parents with children aged 18 and under. Fieldwork was undertaken between 30 January - 8 February 2018. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are nationally representative of all adults aged 18+. The breakdown of those that were parents with children aged 18 and under were as follows: UK (468), Australia (311), Egypt (463), Philippines (506), France (357), USA (295), Morocco (386), Sweden (272), China (529), and Argentina (469).