The first oral health survey in more than 20 years is underway to measure the state of nation's teeth.
The Ministry of Health will interview and examine 2000 adults and 1000 children across the country between now and November.
The Ministry says the survey will show whether it's succeeding in reducing the levels of decay and tooth loss.
It will also establish who visits the dentist and how much strain might be put on the dental health service in the future.
The last survey was carried out in 1988 and the Ministry's Chief Dental Officer, Dr Robin Whyman, hopes to see a marked improvement, given the fluoridation of water and toothpaste.
The research is costing $2 million.
