Recent data released by the Office for Health Improvement & Disparities has highlighted concerning figures regarding the oral health of young children in Cumbria. The study estimates the percentage of five-year-old children affected by enamel and dentin decay, with dentin being the layer just beneath the enamel.
The data was gathered from a sample of five-year-old schoolchildren whose parents consented to participate, though not all local authorities in England contributed to the survey.
In Westmorland and Furness, a significant 24.5% of five-year-olds were found to have tooth decay, slightly below the national average of 26.9%. However, some regions like Manchester reported much higher figures, with 60.8% of children affected.
Katrina Stephens, Director of Public Health at Westmorland and Furness Council, emphasized the importance of oral health in overall development, stating, “Oral health has far-reaching effects on health and development throughout life and is a key public health issue in our area. Improving oral health is a priority for us.”
To address this concern, the Westmorland and Furness Council has incorporated oral health improvement into its Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Working in close collaboration with NHS partners, the Council has commissioned an All-Age Oral Health Improvement Service to target areas of need, particularly focusing on early years settings, special schools, and care homes.
This service includes a variety of oral health initiatives, such as the development of resources for various settings, a supervised tooth brushing scheme, and the Smile4Life program, which promotes a comprehensive approach to improving oral health across communities.
Stephens also stressed the importance of basic oral hygiene practices, urging parents to limit sugary food and drink consumption, brush teeth twice daily, and ensure children visit a dentist starting around six months of age. Regular check-ups are crucial for preventing tooth decay and maintaining long-term oral health.
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