Rates of Tooth Decay in Ireland Among Highes in Europe
Rates of tooth decay in Ireland are among the highest in Europe for teenagers.
Recent statistics from a study carried out by researchers at Queen’s University, revealed that rates of decay were among the highest in Europe, with teenagers twice as likely to suffer permanent damage caused by decay than teenagers elsewhere.
The report found that teenagers living in deprived areas were particularly prone to tooth decay, while those living in more affluent areas were more likely to visit their dentist for orthodontic treatments and treatments to improve the aesthetic of the smile.
The British Dental Association said that a public health dental strategy needed to be put in place as soon as possible, although a strategy was already published five years ago, but representatives from the BDA have accused the Department of Health of stalling its implementation. Currently, dentists are not paid for offering preventative dental treatments and the BDA claimed that the contract must be changed, as preventative treatments can help to reduce the prevalence of oral health diseases, as well as cutting the cost of dental care in the future.
Peter Crooks, from the BDA, said that it was extremely important that the oral health strategy was implemented as quickly as possible. He claimed that the BDA had been in talks with the Department of Health for five years, but there has been little progress and this is highlighted by the statistics from the Queen’s University study.
A spokesperson from the Department of Health said that preventative measures were being taken in many schools across the country and the payments dentists receive should be sufficient to cover all treatments.
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