Objective: To investigate whether variations in child dental health of children from different ethnic groups could be explained by material deprivation.
Method: Using BASCD coordinated survey data of dental health of five-year-old children in Bury and Rochdale PCT, the mean dmft adjusted for deprivation was compared between white and Asian children.
Result: Children from Asian families have significantly poorer dental health than their white peers and this major health inequality is present over and above any impacts due to material deprivation.
Conclusion: These data highlight the value of the overview provided by the UK survey programmes and the need for detailed local studies.