UK - SHOCK FIGURES REVEAL SAD STATE OF CHILDREN'S MOUTHS
SHOCK FIGURES REVEAL SAD STATE OF CHILDREN'S MOUTHS
Date: 25 August 2008
By Emma Harris
MOST children in Blackpool have at least two decayed teeth by the time they start school.
Shocking new figures reveal the average child in the resort has 2.3 rotten teeth before their fifth birthday.
This is well above the national average of 1.5 and slightly above the regional average of two.
It puts Blackpool in a worse position tADVERTISEMENT han neighbouring Fylde and Wyre.
Bernard Alston, dental lead for Blackpool Primary Care Trust, said work was going on to try to tackle the problem of decay – including a pilot project to paint fluoride varnish on to children's teeth.
He said: "This will be offered to children up the age of five and is in line with Government strategy. It is a pilot scheme and the outcome of this trial will be evaluated, prior to making decisions.
"When you look at the figures, Blackpool has a comparable level of tooth decay to other areas with similar levels of deprivation. Evidence suggests a link between tooth decay and deprivation.
"To tackle the issue, we have to look at prevention, as well as cure. We have pretty much nailed the cure side; it's now working on prevention and education at all ages."
He said the resort's Brushing for Life scheme had been extended – giving out tooth-brushing packs at intervals until children were two-and-a-half years old plus advice.
He added work was also going on in Sure Start nurseries to promote tooth-brushing and supervise brushing.
Blackpool is by no means the worst in the country – with some areas, including Manchester, Blackburn, Nottingham and Knowsley, having an average of three rotten teeth by five years old.
Wyre is slightly below the national average, with 1.4 rotten teeth per child under five.
Fylde is well below the average though with just one.
Earlier the year, Poulton dentist Graham Wilding – who launched a UK-wide crusade to "stop the rot" – warned The Gazette that if nothing was done, half of all babies born in Lancashire would have decay by primary school.
He backed calls to add fluoride to tap water, adding he had been horrified at being forced to remove decayed teeth from the mouths of children as young as four.
Supporters of a campaign to put fluoride in drinking water say it helps harden and strengthen the enamel of teeth against tooth decay.
But those who oppose the idea claim its benefits are unproven and they believe it can lead to health problems.
Dr Susie Sanderson, executive chairwoman of the British Dental Association, said: "It really is a desperate situation. We cannot afford to let this get worse."
Date: 25 August 2008
By Emma Harris
MOST children in Blackpool have at least two decayed teeth by the time they start school.
Shocking new figures reveal the average child in the resort has 2.3 rotten teeth before their fifth birthday.
This is well above the national average of 1.5 and slightly above the regional average of two.
It puts Blackpool in a worse position tADVERTISEMENT han neighbouring Fylde and Wyre.
Bernard Alston, dental lead for Blackpool Primary Care Trust, said work was going on to try to tackle the problem of decay – including a pilot project to paint fluoride varnish on to children's teeth.
He said: "This will be offered to children up the age of five and is in line with Government strategy. It is a pilot scheme and the outcome of this trial will be evaluated, prior to making decisions.
"When you look at the figures, Blackpool has a comparable level of tooth decay to other areas with similar levels of deprivation. Evidence suggests a link between tooth decay and deprivation.
"To tackle the issue, we have to look at prevention, as well as cure. We have pretty much nailed the cure side; it's now working on prevention and education at all ages."
He said the resort's Brushing for Life scheme had been extended – giving out tooth-brushing packs at intervals until children were two-and-a-half years old plus advice.
He added work was also going on in Sure Start nurseries to promote tooth-brushing and supervise brushing.
Blackpool is by no means the worst in the country – with some areas, including Manchester, Blackburn, Nottingham and Knowsley, having an average of three rotten teeth by five years old.
Wyre is slightly below the national average, with 1.4 rotten teeth per child under five.
Fylde is well below the average though with just one.
Earlier the year, Poulton dentist Graham Wilding – who launched a UK-wide crusade to "stop the rot" – warned The Gazette that if nothing was done, half of all babies born in Lancashire would have decay by primary school.
He backed calls to add fluoride to tap water, adding he had been horrified at being forced to remove decayed teeth from the mouths of children as young as four.
Supporters of a campaign to put fluoride in drinking water say it helps harden and strengthen the enamel of teeth against tooth decay.
But those who oppose the idea claim its benefits are unproven and they believe it can lead to health problems.
Dr Susie Sanderson, executive chairwoman of the British Dental Association, said: "It really is a desperate situation. We cannot afford to let this get worse."
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