Nearly 50 Percent of Britain’s Youngsters Has Tooth Decay
A recent study has revealed that almost half of Britain’s youngsters have tooth decay. In the most recent national children’s oral health survey since the 2003 Children’s Dental Health Survey, figures show that 46 percent of 8 year olds and a similar proportion of 15 year olds have signs of dental decay. The survey covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The figures show a slight improvement since the last survey, but the figures are still very high and there is a long way to go. Figures also confirmed that around a third of 5 year olds suffer from decay. The statistics have been published today by the Health and Social Care Information Centre.
The study shows that there has been a slight rise in the proportion of children brushing their teeth. However, there has been a decrease in the number of children who regularly visit a dentist.
Although rates of decay have fallen from 56 percent to 46 percent in 15 year olds, there is still a wide gap between richer and poorer areas and public health experts say that this is a major cause for concern. According to the figures, children from poorer families are up to twice as likely to suffer from decay as those from more affluent families.
Director of dental public health at Public Health England, Dr Sandra White, said that there must be an “urgent” effort to reduce sugar consumption, with a large proportion of children regularly consuming fizzy drinks, energy drinks, chocolate bars and sweets. Dr White also added that that water fluoridation has clear benefits and children living in areas with fluoridated water are enjoying better oral health These areas include Birmingham, Newcastle and parts of Warwickshire.
Dr Nigel Carter OBE, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, supported Dr White’s stance, stating that there is “a clear need” for wider access to fluoridated water supplies, especially in deprived areas where rates of decay are worryingly high.
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