Public Health England stats highlight the gravity of the decay crisis, as more than a quarter of Birmingham kids have decayed teeth
New statistics have highlighted the gravity of the dental health crisis among children in England, as new figures from Public Health England reveal that over a quarter of 5-year-olds in Birmingham have at least one rotten, filled or missing tooth.
Statistics show that 26.7 of the city’s children have signs of decay. This is higher than the national average, which is 23.3%. The vast majority of cases of tooth decay can be prevented with healthy eating, a good daily oral hygiene routine and regular trips to the dentist.
The figures have been released as dental experts from the Faculty of Dental Surgery called for the government to encourage schools to go sugar-free to stem the rising tide of decay in young children. The average child far exceeds the recommended daily intake of sugar, with many children consuming the suggested quantity of sugar through snacking alone. Figures also show that around 40% of children didn’t go to the dentist last year, despite the fact that NHS treatment is free for kids, and that dentists recommend routine checks every 6 months.
Prof Michael Escudier, dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons in England, called for immediate action to stop children from developing decay. Parents need to be made aware of the availability of free NHS dental services and parents, schools, and health professionals can work together to promote healthier eating, reduce sugar consumption and improve dental hygiene. The faculty has released a series of recommendations to raise standards of oral health, including supervised brushing schemes and sugar-free school meals and snacks.
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