Bassetlaw: One in five kids have bad teeth

Statistics released by Public Health England (PHE) show that 20.3 per cent of young school children have experienced tooth decay.

Dental health experts say the figure - which is well below the England average and under the Notts average of 23 per cent - is encouraging.

The figures stands at 21.4 per cent for Bolsover youngsters, but in Rotherham the figure is much higher at 40 per cent.

The figures were collected last year as part of the second national survey into the state of five-year-olds’ oral health.

Nationally the figure has reduced from 30.9 per cent to 27.9 per cent.

Adam Walker, principal at Dental 22 in Retford said the figures were encouraging, but were still too high.

He said: “It is encouraging that the figures show an improvement in decay rates amongst five-year-olds since the last survey. “

“However the figure is still high especially considering that tooth decay is a completely preventable disease.”

“It is good to see that Bassetlaw is below the national averages and this is most likely due to the fluoridated water in this area.”

“It is important that all children should attend a dental practice as soon as their first teeth appear so that the teeth can be monitored regularly and decay prevented.”

“We follow the governments Better Oral Health Toolkit which allows us to provide the best preventative measures and advice to all patients.”

“All children aged three to 18 should have fluoride varnish applied at regular intervals something which we always do at our practice.”

Irene Kakoulis, senior public health manager, Notts County Council, said there was some positive work being carried out in Bassetlaw to improve oral health.

She said: “It’s clearly good news that the oral health for children in Bassetlaw is improving, but what is also clear is that we want to keep that trend going in the right direction.”

“There’s some very good work being carried out in Bassetlaw and across the whole county, including by the Oral Health Promotion Service which engages with schools, dental practices and with communities.”

“For example the Teeth for Schools packs which is providing local primary schools with teaching resources to help educate young children in the importance of diet, oral hygiene and the importance of regular visits to the dentist.”