Wales - Wales' top doctor has said more needs to be done
Wales' top doctor has said more needs to be done to improve the state of children's teeth.
The Welsh government currently provides some nursery children with tooth brushes and fluoride varnishes.
In his annual report, Dr Tony Jewell said "alternative methods" were needed so teeth could benefit from fluoride.
On average, four children in a class of 30 five year olds will have experienced dental pain in the last 12 months.
The chief medical officer Dr Jewell said it was a sign of deprivation and a measure of inequality.
He added that the figure rose to six children in a class of 30 in Blaenau Gwent
The Welsh government's "Designed to Smile Programme" provides more than 60,000 children a toothbrush in school as well as fluoride varnish to three to five-year-old children.
Dr Jewell said: "In Wales we need to get more teeth in contact with fluoride via alternative methods.
More than 5,130 general anaesthetics were given to children to remove teeth last year in unfluoridated south east Wales”
Dr Tony JewellChief medical officer for Wales
"More than 5,130 general anaesthetics were given to children to remove teeth last year in unfluoridated south east Wales.
"This should be compared to fluoridated Birmingham (a similar size population) where just over 2,700 children received the same treatment."
Some areas of England already use fluoride in the water system.
Critics argue the long-term health risks of fluoridation are unknown. But advocates, including much of the medical profession, say it is a safe, proven way of improving dental health.....
The Welsh government currently provides some nursery children with tooth brushes and fluoride varnishes.
In his annual report, Dr Tony Jewell said "alternative methods" were needed so teeth could benefit from fluoride.
On average, four children in a class of 30 five year olds will have experienced dental pain in the last 12 months.
The chief medical officer Dr Jewell said it was a sign of deprivation and a measure of inequality.
He added that the figure rose to six children in a class of 30 in Blaenau Gwent
The Welsh government's "Designed to Smile Programme" provides more than 60,000 children a toothbrush in school as well as fluoride varnish to three to five-year-old children.
Dr Jewell said: "In Wales we need to get more teeth in contact with fluoride via alternative methods.
More than 5,130 general anaesthetics were given to children to remove teeth last year in unfluoridated south east Wales”
Dr Tony JewellChief medical officer for Wales
"More than 5,130 general anaesthetics were given to children to remove teeth last year in unfluoridated south east Wales.
"This should be compared to fluoridated Birmingham (a similar size population) where just over 2,700 children received the same treatment."
Some areas of England already use fluoride in the water system.
Critics argue the long-term health risks of fluoridation are unknown. But advocates, including much of the medical profession, say it is a safe, proven way of improving dental health.....
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