Some evidence from Ontario, Canada, of a reversal in the dental caries decline.

The dramatic decline in dental caries among children in many industrialized countries has been documented since early in the 1980s. However, there is mounting international evidence that this decline is ending. Further, in Ontario, Canada, caries experience may be increasing, at least in the primary dentition of the youngest elementary schoolchildren. Several hypotheses are discussed that might explain this phenomenon. The authors conclude that it is premature to end established, effective preventive dentistry programs on grounds of incipient eradication of paediatric dental caries.