Children living in the most deprived areas are twice more likely to experience tooth decay, new research shows.
New data on the oral health of year six schoolchildren shows those living in the most deprived areas of the country were more than twice as likely to have experience of tooth decay (23%) as those living in the least deprived areas (10%).
The survey also finds big disparities in the prevalence of experience of tooth decay among ethnic groups, that remain concentrated in urban areas.
Levels are significantly higher in the ‘other’ ethnic group (22%) and Asian or Asian British ethnic group (18%) than in the white ethnic group (16%) and black or black British ethnic group (13%).
Decay and deprivation
Last week saw headlines suggest upcoming major funding to boost rural dental practices. But the BDA says this will do nothing to address the growing urban inequalities.
For example, Wolverhampton – which has the highest percentage of children with decayed, missing or filled teeth at 42.7% – would be unlikely to see any benefit from a policy focusing on ‘rural’ practices.
BDA chair Eddie Crouch said: ‘For a generation, ministers have failed to grasp that decay and deprivation go hand in hand.
‘This government likes to talk about prevention but has offered nothing. It has promised access for all but looks set to just throw money at target seats in rural England.
‘Our youngest patients are continuing to pay the price.’
Supervised brushing
This follows the Labour Party’s pledge to implement a supervised toothbrushing scheme during ‘fully funded’ breakfast clubs.
In October the Labour Party announced a pledge to introduce supervised toothbrushing in schools. However, the policy faced backlash from teachers who felt that it would disrupt their lessons.
One Hertfordshire primary school teacher said: ‘It shouldn’t be our job to check that they clean their teeth every day. It takes away from learning time.’
Last month, Labour clarified that the supervised brushing scheme would take place outside of lesson time in ‘fully-funded breakfast clubs’. The party hopes to improve childhood oral health and ensure ‘every child gets a healthy meal to start the day’.
Follow Dentistry.co.uk on Instagram to keep up with all the latest dental news and trends.
