UK - A third of 12-year-olds have rotten teeth despite recent improvements in dental health among children

A third of 12-year-olds have rotten teeth despite recent improvements in dental health among children, a survey has found.
By Rebecca Smith, Medical Editor 8:00AM GMT 10 Nov 2010
The proportion of children with decayed, missing or filled teeth has dropped from 37 per cent in 2001 to 33 per cent in 2008/9, a survey found.

The national NHS Dental Epidemiology Programme (NHS DEP), conducted by Liverpool John moores University, found large regional variations however and more than half of children in some areas had bad teeth.

In Southwark in London, 13 per cent of 12-year-olds had decayed, missing or filled teeth, compared with 56 per cent in Knowsley in the North West – a fourfold difference.
Sue Gregory, Deputy Chief Dental Officer at the Department of Health, said: “We have good evidence on which to base our professional and public approach to tackling these problems.
"Strategies which support eating healthily, tooth brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and following the personal advice offered by dental professionals offer the best chance of securing further improvements in dental heath and a reduction in inequalities.”
Lord Howe, Health Minister, said: “Even though there have been improvements in children’s oral health, there is more that can and should be done to tackle persistent inequalities.
"The NHS White Paper sets out our commitment to improving the oral health of schoolchildren. We are reviewing the current dental contract closely looking at changes that might support this, and talking to the profession and patient groups for their views.”