Figures for Child Dental Visits are Disappointing, According to BDHF
Dr Nigel Carter, Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, has admitted that the recent figures showing fewer children attending regular dental appointments are “disappointing.”
The statistics, which were released by the NHS Information Centre, show that fewer children attended regular dental visits in the two year period leading up to June 2011, with a decrease of 26,000 dental visits between 2006 and 2011.
The disappointing statistics for children were in stark contrast to the number of adults visiting the dentist, with figures showing an increase in the number of adult patients using NHS dental services. In the two year period, there was an increase of 1 million in the total number of people using an NHS dentist.
Dr Nigel Carter said that it was worrying that numbers had dropped amongst children because dental care is so important and going to the dentist from an early age helps to decrease the risk of oral health diseases and encourages children to adopt good oral hygiene habits from an early age.
Most dentists advise parents to bring their child for regular check-ups from the age of twelve months and with dental care provided for free of charge for all children living in the UK, there seems to be little excuse for the decline in numbers.
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