China will launch a campaign to draw attention to the dental health of the nation's children on the annual "national day for dental care" which falls on September 20.

This year's campaign will promote a special method for protecting children's teeth. The method requires dentists apply a special varnish to seal pits and fissures in children's teeth to prevent cavities from developing.

Results from third oral health epidemiological survey released last year show that 66 percent of Chinese five years have dental cavities, and 97.1 percent of children suffering from cavities do not get them fixed.

The survey also shows that bed-time sugar intake, late start of brushing teeth and weak awareness of teeth care are to blame for the bad dental health among Chinese children.

According to the survey, 72 percent of children at five eat sweet food before going to bed everynight. Only 13 percent of children start brushing their teeth before 3 years old, and 20 percent of children at five do not brush their teeth at all.

(Xinhua News Agency September 19, 2010)