A quarter of three-year-olds suffer tooth decay

MORE than a quarter of three-year-old children are suffering tooth decay, the most common chronic childhood disease.

Irish children also have a higher level of tooth decay than those in Britain, according to a leading researcher on oral health.

Dental surgeon Dr Carmel Parnell revealed that 20% of eight-year-olds, 50% of 12-year-olds and 75% of 15-year-olds have experienced decay in their permanent teeth.