Public Health England statistics show 1 in 4 5-year-olds have decay
Statistics from Public Health England show that 1 in 4 5-year-olds in England have signs of decay.
Figures released by the body indicated that 23% of 5-year-olds in England have symptoms of tooth decay. This figure is similar to those published in 2017, which suggests that progress in fighting decay has plateaued.
There had been major improvements in standards of oral health prior to 2017, but the new figures highlight the need for more work to be done. Tooth decay is the most common cause of hospital admissions among children across the UK, despite the fact that it is preventable in the vast majority of cases.
In light of the statistics, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation, has called for efforts to be made to encourage parents to adopt good oral health habits at home and to take their children to the dentist on a regular basis from an early age. Poor dental hygiene and a diet rich in sugar are the main causes of high rates of decay. Dr Carter is urging parents to keep an eye on their children’s diets and to supervise twice-daily brushing. He has also suggested that dental professionals, health ministers, local authorities and parents should work together to promote healthy habits and ensure patients have access to NHS services for children.
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