A second target, that five-year-olds should, on average, have no more than one tooth with decay, was also missed by 50 per cent. Despite an overall improvement in children's dental health in recent years, statistics show there has been barely any decline in the incidence of tooth decay in young children.
Sugary food and drinks are largely to blame. The widespread use of fluoride toothpaste over the last 20 years has been countered by the increasing consumption of sugary food and drink. Dentists are having to battle against the habits of a sweet-tooth generation.
The British Dental Association thinks the problem is compounded by parents' lack of knowledge about dental health. It has called for better information for parents about how to prevent dental disease and decay. But there is also the challenge of ensuring that children are being seen regularly by a dentist.
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