In this article the principles of child oral health care in the Netherlands and the consequences of cariological principals of oral health care delivery to children are described. First of all the age of the child plays a very significant role in decisions concerning prevention and restoration. In addition, the combination of a positive attitude on the part of the dentist and a pain-free treatment can prevent fear of treatment and avoidance behaviour of the children. In the treatment of carious lesions, moreover, the oral health care provider should consider to what extent the problem is related to behaviour and fits in the multi-factorial caries model. Restorative treatments should be considered as supporting prevention, reducing caries activity and eliminating the effects of neglected oral health care. Prevention has to be seen as an essential element of the treatment model and it should start early from the standpoint of habit formation and the rapid demineralization process in the deciduous dentition which results from failed preventive care.