LONDON: The number of hospital tooth extractions due to tooth decay in children and young people has declined by 2% in UK, according to the latest figures from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID). However, dental surgeons warn that the figures remain alarmingly high, with significant regional disparities continuing to affect access to care.
In the financial year ending 2024, there were 30,587 hospital tooth extractions for 0 to 19-year-olds with a primary diagnosis of tooth decay. The data also highlights stark regional differences, with Yorkshire and the Humber recording 454 extractions per 100,000 population in this age group—more than six times higher than the East Midlands, which reported just 70 per 100,000.
The statistics reveal that tooth decay remains the leading cause of hospital admissions for children aged 5 to 9, with 19,381 extractions performed on children in this age group—more than hospital admissions for acute tonsillitis (12,283).
Dr Charlotte Eckhardt, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, expressed concern over the findings, stating:
"While we've seen a slight decrease in the number of extractions due to tooth decay, these latest figures remain a stark reminder of the persistent prevalence of a largely preventable condition. It is deeply troubling that tooth decay continues to be the leading cause of hospital admissions for children aged five to nine. Any reduction in extractions is welcome, however these figures show that we are still failing too many children due to inadequate access to preventive dental care."
The data also underscores the financial burden on the NHS, with £74.8 million spent on hospital admissions for tooth extractions in 0 to 19-year-olds, of which £45.8 million was directly attributed to decay-related procedures.
Dr Eckhardt further emphasized the need for urgent reforms:
"This data reveals a substantial ongoing cost to the NHS and highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve dental access for all children and young people, particularly in underserved communities. The lack of access to an NHS dentist is an issue of inequity. Significant reforms to the NHS dental contract are needed to support the workforce in delivering a comprehensive service. We call on the government to deliver a timeline for these reforms immediately."
With dental caries accounting for 62% of all hospital-based tooth extractions among 0 to 19-year-olds, experts stress the importance of improving access to NHS dental services, promoting preventive care, and implementing stronger public health initiatives to combat the root causes of dental decay in children.