Figures confirm an ‘alarming’ rise in cases of decay in South Australia
The State Government has sounded the alarms after new figures showed a significant increase in the number of children suffering from tooth decay in South Australia.
New figures show an ‘alarming’ increase in the number of children requiring hospital treatment for dental issues. Last year, 2,500 children under the age of 8 were admitted to hospital for treatment under general anaesthetic. This included 24 children aged under 1. One case involved a 3-year old child that needed all their teeth removing.
Health minister, Jack Snelling, said that the new statistics represent a 55 percent increase in the number of dental admissions in the last decade. Experts have attributed the sharp increase to a poor diet, with many children consuming far too much sugar on a daily basis. Authorities also claim that a lack of attention to dental hygiene is contributing to the increased prevalence of cavities.
In response to the news, health ministers and dentists have encouraged parents to get in touch with dental offices both in the community and through schools to arrange appointments for their children. Mr Snelling said that there was “no excuse” for parents not to take advantage of services available in schools and local towns. School dental clinics are free of charge, and routine visits can make such a positive difference to standards of oral health. Mr Snelling also advised parents to encourage good dental habits from the moment their child develops the first tooth. Ideally, children should see a dentist every 6 months.
