In order to improve dental health in Scottish children, it is important to understand the level and distribution of dental disease across the population. Measuring data on diseases such as dental caries (decay) helps in the design, implementation, and evaluation of oral health improvement initiatives. It also helps inform policy development and aids in the planning of services.
In Scotland, measurement of dental caries in children is carried out as part of the National Dental Inspection Programme (NDIP), which undertakes inspections on Primary 1 and Primary 7 children and is operated by the NHS and Public Health Scotland (PHS). Inspections are carried out by local health boards and findings inform children and their parents/carers about their oral health. Anonymised data also helps to inform health boards, the Scottish Government, and other key stakeholders concerned with children’s health, about the dental health status of children locally, regionally, and nationally.
Inspections take place in the school setting and are carried out by trained, experienced, inspection teams. Children who take part are given a letter informing them and their parents/carers of their dental health and need for dental care.
The information collected will also be shared with PHS to help in the planning and delivery of dental services.