Children need a dental visit by first birthday, say experts

All children should visit the dentist by their first birthday according to one of Ireland’s leading dental experts.

Dr Eleanor McGovern, a consultant paediatric dental surgeon in Temple Street University Children’s Hospital, has called on the Government to introduce a “use-it- or-lose-it voucher”, whereby parents redeem it before their child’s first birthday.

Dr McGovern was speaking ahead of the Irish Dental Association’s annual conference this weekend and said the scheme would help to massively reduce tooth decay in children.