It is clearly good news that a pioneering approach to NHS dental work is going to take place here in Oxford.

And we hope that it works.

It is clear from evidence we published earlier this year there is something rotten with the way the current system is working.

Too many children, particularly those in some of our more deprived areas, have poor teeth. There will be many factors for this – the way the NHS operates is clearly one.

Within that there are two main issues – the type of care dentists are able to give and the access families have to NHS services.

The trial in Oxford will hopefully allow dentists at Bury Knowle to focus on making sure teeth improve, through treatment and through good practice at home.

It seems a common sense approach. There is no point having a system that simply tackles the problem but does not address the underlying cause.

We wait to see what the results will be and how they will be measured.

But clearly access to an NHS dentist is a factor, and one that has been raised many times before.

A parallel trial in High Wycombe will look at this.

The third, and ultimate, factor is parental responsibility.

Parents must ensure their kids know how to clean their teeth.

If they have problems with getting dental care they shouldn't just grin and bear it, they must shout out.