Parents have been urged to take proper care of their children’s teeth after recent data revealed tooth decay is the most common reason for kids to be admitted to hospital.
The British Dental Association (BDA) has commented on the data that showed children between six and ten years old are most likely to go to hospital due to pain from rotting teeth.
It also found that rates for youngsters in the most deprived areas are almost 3.5 times higher than those in the most affluent.
BDA chair Eddie Crouch said: “Tooth decay is still going unchallenged as the number one reason for hospital admissions among young children.”
She stated: “Decay and deprivation are going hand in hand, and this inequality is set to widen.”
Since lockdown, almost 50 million NHS dental appointments have been cancelled in England. Consequently, dentists are still catching up and are now busy seeing patients who are most in need of dental care.
At the same time, 91 per cent of NHS dental practices in England did not have room for new adult patients and 79 could not take on any more child patients.
The BDA believes this is going to worsen the problem of tooth decay for youngsters, and is urging the government to provide reform and investment in British dentistry.
Earlier this month, the BDA reported how children’s oral health had worsened during the cost-of-living crisis. It revealed 83 per cent of teachers say they or their schools have had to give pupils toothbrushes, while 25 per cent of students miss school because of poor oral hygiene issues.
This shows just how important it is to look after children’s teeth, which is why parents should book regular checks for their youngsters at their dentist in Ashton-under-Lyne.