More cases for children’s dental treatment than broken arms

New figures show that twice as many children under the age of 10 receive hospital treatment for tooth decay as those treated for broken arms.

According to the faculty of dental surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons, there were 34,205 cases of patients under 10 needing hospital treatment for dental caries in the year to March, compared with 17,043 for broken arms, 19,584 for asthma, 10,397 for epilepsy and 3,805 for appendicitis.

The faculty argue that tooth decay, which is the most common reason that children between five and nine need treatment in hospital, is preventable in 90 per cent of cases. However, many children are not going to the dentist, with parents often unaware that it is free for the under-18s.

Prof Michael Escudier, dean of the faculty of dental surgery, said: “Sometimes this can be unavoidable, but when it comes to admissions caused by tooth decay, most cases are a result of simple preventative steps not being taken. Tens of thousands of children every year are having to go through the distressing experience of having teeth removed under general anaesthetic. Reducing sugar consumption, regularly brushing teeth with fluoride toothpaste and routine dental visits will all help ensure this is avoided.”

Henrik Overgaard-Nielsen, the British Dental Association’s chair of general dental practice, said: “These shocking statistics are rooted in an abject failure by government to tackle a preventable disease. While we are hearing positive noises, ministers have not met words with action. Scotland and Wales have dedicated national programmes to improve children’s oral health, England has been offered a new logo and limited action in a handful of council wards. It’s a scandal that when some local authorities are doing sterling work, others are sitting on their hands while Westminster offers radio silence.”