NHS Dental Report Reveals Inequalities in Oxfordshire

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An NHS report has revealed dental inequalities in Oxfordshire.

The report showed that children in poorer areas of the county are having teeth extracted due to poor oral health. The report highlighted Banbury and towns in the North East of the county, where standards of oral health are very poor. Some volunteers visiting schools reported that some children did not even own their own toothbrush.

The author of the report, Nicky Wadely, said that the results of the report were very worrying and for this reason the NHS was eager to try and encourage more parents to take their children to see a dentist on a regular basis and encourage their children to adopt good dental hygiene habits.

Despite the bad news relating to differences in standards of oral health across the county, the report did show that access to NHS dental services has improved overall and the report reveals that 53 percent of people can now see an NHS dentist, an increase of more than 48,000 people since the end of 2007.

Ms Wadely said that there was a widespread belief that there was a shortage of dentists in the area and as a result of this some people were not even bothering to check if places were available in their area, however, there are places available and new practices have recently opened Banbury and Oxford. Anyone who is looking to register with a dental practice is advised to contact their local primary care trust.

 

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