Dental caries remains one of the most common childhood chronic diseases—yet one of the most preventable
In February 2025, the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP), under NHS Education for Scotland, released the third edition of its authoritative guidance Prevention and Management of Dental Caries in Children.
This thoroughly updated edition reflects both the latest scientific evidence and a modern shift toward patient-centered, minimally invasive care, emphasizing personalized prevention strategies based on individual risk, and reserving more invasive interventions only when clinically necessary.
Designed to support dental professionals—from general dentists and dental therapists to hygienists and nurses—the guide provides a clear, practical framework for delivering best-practice oral healthcare to children and adolescents (birth to 18 years) in primary care Settings.
Key updates in this edition include
✔ Enhanced guidance on preventive use of fissure sealants and professionally applied fluoride interventions.
✔ Broader recommendation for vital pulp therapy in permanent teeth, including pulpotomy for irreversible pulpitis.
✔ Introduction of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) as a non-invasive management tool for primary teeth under clear “off-label” guidance.
✔ Integration of values-based Realistic Dentistry and sustainability principles—focusing on shared decision‑making, personalised care, prevention of overtreatment, and reducing unnecessary environmental impact.
Presented in an accessible online format, with user‑friendly visuals, decision‑making flows, and a concise Guidance in Brief PDF, this edition is also endorsed by major professional bodies across the UK and internationally.
