Oral specialists say the dental system is failing children, and urgent change is needed.

Research shows dental decay is the most prevalent non-communicable childhood disease in New Zealand.

Māori, Pasifika, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, and those without access to community water fluoridation are most affected.

Otago University researcher Dorothy Boyd told Kate Hawkesby now's the best time to address it, in amongst the other health system changes.

She says statistics show 70 percent of Pasifika, 60 percent of Māori, and a-third of other children have dental decay by the time they're five.

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