Doncaster Public Health Experts Bemoan the State of Dental Health Among Children
Public health experts in Doncaster have been left disappointed after figures revealed that the town has one of the worst rates of childhood decay. Figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre show that more than 830 children aged under 10 years old were treated in hospital for dental decay last year. The statistics mean that Doncaster has the second highest figures in the country.
Dr Rupert Suckling, director of Doncaster Public Health, said the figures were a bitter disappointment. He pledged to continue working with other organisations and partners to try and bring rates of decay down and improve standards of oral health among the town’s children.
Dr Suckling added that the figures suggest prevention is even more important than previously thought. He suggested that more should be done to target children and ensure they develop good habits at an early age. Hospital treatment is expensive and carries risks and the said thing is, the vast majority of dental decay cases are preventable.
Measures such as improving education for parents and children and supporting first time parents have been suggested by public health bodies. A survey has also been launched to find effective ways to improve the situation and decrease the burden on over-stretched hospital services.
Leading dental experts, including NHS England’s chief dental officer Sara Hurley, have called for urgent action to prevent a dental epidemic among the nation’s children. Parents must take responsibility, but education is also incredibly important. In order to teach children good habits, parents must be made aware of the implications of a sugary diet and the effects of missing out on regular brushing and frequent dental checks.
Join this Discussion