Cohort studies are highly reliable bases for epidemiological research to reveal the relationships between disease causes and effects. As a typical design, a birth cohort study provides significant advantages over other cohort studies. For instance, birth cohort studies generate high-quality etiological evidence and easily provide baseline data. Such studies also help confirm the effectiveness of preventive measures. Therefore, a birth cohort study on the prevention of oral diseases should be established in dental research. This paper aims to introduce the methods and contents of three large scale birth cohort studies from three different countries. This paper also aims to review the main research outcomes of these studies.
