Oral Health Crisis: Children’s Access to NHS Dentistry Remains 'Very Poor' as Inequalities Widen
A recent analysis by the Child of the North initiative has sounded the alarm on the persistent and alarming state of children’s oral health in England. Despite the introduction of new government interventions aimed at improvement, access to NHS dental care and the rates of tooth decay remain critically poor, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Experts suggest there is "cautious optimism" surrounding recent national programs, but insist these schemes must be significantly scaled up and strengthened to effectively address the widespread needs of young people across the country.
Stark Inequalities Persist
The analysis of the latest government data reveals a deepening divide along socioeconomic lines:
Hospital Admissions for Extractions: Children living in England's most deprived communities are over three times more likely to be admitted to the hospital for tooth extractions (a procedure largely caused by preventable decay) than those residing in more affluent areas.
Decay Rates: Children in the most deprived regions are more than twice as likely to experience tooth decay compared to those in the least deprived areas.
National Prevalence: Overall, more than a quarter (26.9%) of five-year-olds in England suffer from tooth decay.
Professor Mark Mon-Williams, who edited the report series, highlighted that "The number of children with rotten teeth is a powerful indicator of the wider decay in child wellbeing that is affecting millions of young lives across the UK."
The True Cost: Loss of School Days
The burden of poor oral health extends beyond physical suffering and into educational disruption. The analysis provided a tangible example of this cost:
Educational Loss: In West Yorkshire alone, dental issues caused the loss of 950 school days across just nine schools in a single academic year.
Professor Marshman noted that there has been no real improvement in children's oral health for nearly a decade, and while the new, ambitious government initiatives have "real potential," they require integrated, partnership working across national and local government, education, and health professionals.
The consensus among experts is clear: far too many children continue to suffer from preventable oral health conditions, which have profound physical, psychological, and educational repercussions. Urgent, scaled-up, and sustained action is required to combat these deep-rooted disparities.
Original Article Details
Original Title: Children’s access to NHS dentistry remains ‘very poor’, analysis shows
Source: Dentistry.co.uk
Publication Date: November 10, 2025