NI teens worst teeth in Europe

NI teens worst teeth in Europe
December 5, 2011By Lisa McMackinA study by Queen’s University, Belfast has found that Northern Irish teenagers have the highest levels of tooth decay in Europe.
The report confirmed that teenagers living in well off areas were receiving dental treatments such as brace fittings. Those living in more deprived areas however were twice as likely to suffer permanent damage to their teeth.
Teenagers living in poorer areas were also more likely to have extractions as a non-fluoridated water supply, poor diet and deprivation all contribute to tooth decay.
The British Dental Association insisted a dental health initiative proposed five years ago should be put into action.
Peter Crooks from the BDA said ”We have been talking with the Department of Health for the past five years and there seems to be very little progress in this and our young people throughout the country need to have better dental health.”

The Department of Health remained adamant that adequate costs were being met to cover the prevention of tooth decay across the health sector.

Chief Dental Officer, Donnocha O’Carolan stated ”We do have poor oral health levels in Northern Ireland but the department has been extremely pro-active in the last five or six years to reduce these decay levels.”

Mr O’Carolan noted that fluoride systems had already been placed within the more deprived areas of the country and insisted improvements in dental health had increased.

Already placed - and working?