New figures show half of Black Country children haven’t been to the dentist for at least a year
New figures have revealed that almost half of children in the Black Country haven’t been to the dentist in the last year.
Statistics released by NHS Digital suggest that just over 50% of children in the region have seen a dentist in the last 12 months, despite dentists recommending routine checks every 6 months. The figures show that 52.5% of children in Dudley, 54.3% of kids in Walsall, 55% in Sandwell and 56.6% of children in Wolverhampton saw a dentist in 2018/2019.
Campaigners and dental professionals are worried about the latest statistics, especially as NHS dental care is free of charge for children. Regular dental appointments can help to reduce the risk of decay dramatically, provide children with access to preventative treatments, and enable dentists to spot signs of issues like orthodontic problems early on. Ideally, children should visit their dentist every 6 months from the age they start to get their first milk teeth.
Tooth decay is currently the leading cause of hospital admissions among children in England, and low uptake rates are a contributing factor. Prof Michael Escudier, dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons in England, said that low attendance rates were alarming, and encouraged parents to take advantage of NHS services in their local area. Experts have also advised the government to promote NHS dental services, as many parents are unaware that children have access to free treatment.
Although attendance is a problem, there are other factors that affect dental health, most notably, diet. In addition to taking children for regular routine dental appointments, parents are also advised to moderate their children’s sugar intake and also to ensure they brush their teeth twice a day.
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