"The findings of this survey highlight the need for urgent investment in oral health education so that parents and children understand the impact of sugar on teeth and the importance of good oral hygiene."
Responding to an oral health survey of five-year-old children from 2016 to 2017, published today by Public Health England, Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said:
“Tooth decay is largely preventable, yet is the most common oral disease affecting children and young people. The findings of this survey highlight the need for urgent investment in oral health education so that parents and children understand the impact of sugar on teeth and the importance of good oral hygiene.
“As LGA analysis revealed earlier this year, there are 170 operations a day taking place in hospitals to remove teeth in children and teenagers.
“Untreated dental care remains one of the most prevalent diseases affecting children and young people’s ability to speak, eat, play and socialise.
“This study underlines how regular check-ups at a dentist can help prevent tooth decay and the need for hospital treatment.”
Notes to editors
- Examples of councils working to improve children’s oral health:
- Figures published by the LGA recently show there were nearly 43,000 hospital operations to remove teeth in teenagers and children last year – equating to 170 a day.