UK: Alarmed by the recent spike in decay-related tooth extractions Dr. Charlotte Eckhardt, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (FDS) at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, has called for increased access to National Health Services dentists.
"The latest figures serve as a stark reminder of the widespread issue of tooth decay, a condition largely preventable. The significant 17pc increase in episodes of decay-related tooth extractions among 0 to 19-year-olds underscores the pressing need for enhanced access to NHS dentists,” Dr. Eckhardt said in a statement.
Dr. Eckhardt says that there were a total of 31,165 instances of tooth extractions due to decay among 0 to 19-year-olds, constituting 66pc of all tooth extractions in this age bracket, regretting that tooth decay continues to be the primary cause of hospital admission among children aged five to nine, especially considering its preventable nature.
She calls for encouraging children and young people to maintain regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste, attend dental check-ups, and reduce consumption of sugary foods—known contributors to decay.
She deplores stark disparities in dental care, with decay-related tooth extraction rates for children and young people in the most deprived communities nearly three and a half times higher than those in the most affluent areas.
"The Faculty of Dental Surgery (FDS) advocates for targeted fluoridation expansion in low socioeconomic areas and the implementation of supervised tooth brushing programs," she adds.