Even though there is a decreasing trend in dental caries of Chinese children in recent years, but data from the National Oral Health Surveys (1984,1995,2005) indicated that dental caries ,especially for the early childhood caries(ECC) is still a major problem. The etiological factors of ECC are still not very clear to be demonstrated. Therefore, several studies have been done by Chinese scientists and the results showed that there was a significant association between Enamel Hyperplasia (EHP) and Early Childhood Caries (ECC) and that the prevalence of Developmental Defect of Enamel (DDE) was higher in Low Birth Weight (LBW) and premature birth children. EHP and enamel Opacity was significantly correlated to prevalence of ECC. Data from other studies confirmed that the health and nutritional status of pregnant women could influence LBW, EHP and ECC as well for their babies. The risk factors related to ECC are illness, malnutrition, feeding pattern, low awareness, lack of basic knowledge and skills, etc.
So, there are sufficient reasons for us to find out the better way to solve these problems. The first action, based on our planning is to train the pregnant women at the MCH centers by a common risk factors approach. The second is focused on the ECC at high risk group. It means that oral health workers at the MCH centers will provide prevention and appropriate treatment individually, according to their needs and demand by a high risk approach. The last is to disseminate the oral health information through annual Love Teeth Day Campaign that is a population -based approach.
The central government provides the budget to support a "Smiling Project for Better Oral Health for Mother and Child". Finally, the management of Project will be discussed.
