Blackpool hospital runs paediatric dentistry programme to tackle soaring rates of decay among children
Blackpool Teaching Hospital Trust has become the first in the North West to run a specialist paediatric dentistry programme. It is hoped that the scheme will help to tackle soaring rates of decay among children in the town.
As part of the scheme, dentists will undertake specialist paediatric training at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals. The 3-year programme is designed to boost dentist numbers in the field and encourage more dental professionals to work with children.
Lisa Clarke decided to apply for the programme after trying different areas of dentistry during her training. She said that she chose to join the scheme after enjoying the unique challenges working with young patients poses.
Chris Baxter, head of specialist dental services, explained that there has been a community service for children in Blackpool for a long time, but this is the first specialist training programme for dentists of its kind in the North West. The programme will play a key role in training the specialist paediatric dentists of the future. Head of the new training programme, Hannah Walsh, added that the course will improve access to dedicated paediatric services for local families.
Recent figures from Public Health England show that young children in Blackpool are more likely to have decayed teeth than children living in any other town in England. Around a third of the town’s 5-year-olds have dental decay. The national average for England is less than a quarter. Almost 80% of children who were admitted to hospital for dental treatment in 2019/2020 were aged under 11.
The new training programme is part of a wider project to boost standards of oral health in the town and improve access to high-quality dental services. Other initiatives include supervised brushing managed by Blackpool Better Start and community-based services run by Blackpool Teaching Hospitals Trust.
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