Northern Irish Children Have the Worst Teeth in the UK, New Research Confirms

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New figures from the British Dental Association have confirmed that children in Northern Ireland have the worst teeth in the UK.

Research suggests that a staggering 72 per cent of 15-year old children in Northern Ireland have signs of dental decay, compared to 44 per cent in England and 63 per cent in Wales. In 2013, more than 5,000 children were treated in hospital for dental issues in Northern Ireland, making decay the most common cause of hospital admission for young people.

In response to the findings, the British Dental Association NI has called for an urgent oral health strategy to be drawn up to fight rising rates of decay and improve the oral health of the younger generations.

Roz McMullan, chair of the BDA (NI) council, stated that the next government has a choice of whether to ignore an increasingly alarming situation, or act to stop the nation’s children requiring hospital treatment for preventable dental illnesses. She urged politicians to work with dental professionals to target children and secure a healthier future for all.

The British Dental Association has recently launched a brand new 5-point manifesto, which is specifically designed to tackle increasing rates of decay. One of the main points is to create a new oral health strategy, which is relevant to the children of today.

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