Number of children waiting for dental operations increases in East Lancashire
The number of children waiting for dental operations in East Lancashire has increased, according to the latest statistics.
Figures show that 86 children were on a waiting list for dental procedures carried out under general anaesthetic in the area regulated by East Lancashire Hospitals Trust in 2017. This is an increase from 69 children in 2013.
Although more children are waiting for dental procedures in hospital, waiting times have decreased in the same time period. In 2013, the average wait was 78 days. Last year, the figure had fallen to 34 days.
In England, there has been an increase of 15 percent in the number of children waiting for hospital dental treatment in the last three years.
The figures were obtained by means of a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Labour Party. Shadow health and social care secretary, Jonathan Ashworth, described the situation as “completely unacceptable.”
Mick Armstrong, chair of the British Dental Association, said that the figures represent a failure to prioritise dental care by successive governments.
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