London declared worst city for tooth decay in children
London has recently been declared the worst city in the UK for children’s dental health. Despite advice from dentists suggesting children should receive a routine check twice a year, a study has shown that 50% of children in the capital didn’t visit a dentist within the last year.
In Tower Hamlets in particular, statistics have shown that over a third of 5-year-olds have tooth decay. Prof Nigel Hunt, dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons, has commented that these figures should not be surprising, as over 60% did not see a dentist at all in 2016. He went on to comment that these rates are “unacceptable” and that parents should make sure to bring their children in for routine checks after the age of twelve months. Dental care is free for children on the NHS.
Despite decay being a preventable condition, there has been a sharp spike in the number of children requiring hospital treatment for rotting teeth. Children younger than 3 years old are now having to have teeth removed under general anaesthetic after going without routine checks, and often lacking good oral hygiene and a healthy diet.
Preventative measures such as fissure sealant and fluoride varnish are readily available from dentists, but if families are not getting in contact, there is little they can do.
Within the next few years, Tower Hamlets Council hope to cut the rate of decay by working with families and within schools. They are launching new programmes in an attempt to educate people on the importance of dental hygiene and healthy oral routines.
