Children and young people in Stockport are facing a dental health crisis, with rates of hospital admissions for decaying tooth extractions significantly higher than the national average. New data reveals that in the 2023-24 period, Stockport saw approximately 230 hospital admissions per 100,000 children for tooth extractions due to decay—nearly 10 times higher than the rate in areas like Leicester, where only 15 per 100,000 children required similar treatment.
The figures highlight a troubling trend of worsening oral health among children in Stockport, as the area’s rate of decaying tooth extractions has risen from 195 admissions in the previous year to 230, showing an increase in hospital admissions for preventable dental issues. On a national level, there were roughly 30,587 cases of decaying tooth extractions across England for children and young people aged 0 to 19, with a national average of around 229 cases per 100,000 children.
The figures also expose stark regional disparities, with Sheffield reporting the highest rate of tooth extractions at approximately 1,145 per 100,000 children. On the other hand, cities like Leicester recorded significantly lower rates, with only 15 per 100,000 children requiring dental extractions. The data also shows a notable economic divide, with children from the most deprived areas being nearly 3.5 times more likely to be admitted to hospitals for tooth extractions due to decay compared to their more affluent peers.
To address this crisis, the Local Government Association (LGA) has called for greater investment in preventive dental health measures, particularly in communities facing the greatest disparities. Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, emphasized that tooth decay in children is largely preventable and urged the Government to increase funding for local authority-led initiatives like supervised toothbrushing programs.
He also underscored the importance of tackling the “stark inequalities” in dental health across the country, particularly in disadvantaged areas. “We must take urgent action to reduce tooth decay in children, particularly in the most disadvantaged communities,” Fothergill stated.
The data also reveals that tooth decay remains the primary reason for hospital admissions in children aged 5 to 9 years old, accounting for 62% of all tooth extractions for children and young people. Dr. Nigel Carter, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, praised the slight drop in decaying tooth extractions but warned that the numbers are still “far too high.” He pointed out that tooth decay has a severe impact on children’s welfare and education, leading to unnecessary pain, missed school days, and hospital treatments.
Dr. Carter called on the Government to implement preventative programs, such as supervised toothbrushing schemes in schools, as a critical part of the solution. “Every day we delay, more children suffer unnecessary pain, miss school, and require hospital treatment,” he said.
In response, Health Minister Stephen Kinnock acknowledged the findings as a stark reminder of the dental health crisis facing children across the UK. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to addressing the issue through measures such as expanding urgent dental appointments and working toward reforming NHS dentistry. “From prevention to reforming the dental contract, we will work with our partners to get dentistry working for patients again,” Kinnock affirmed.
As the Government rolls out a supervised toothbrushing scheme in the most deprived areas of the country, it’s clear that more needs to be done to ensure that all children, regardless of their socioeconomic status or location, have access to the preventive dental care they need to avoid the pain and complications of tooth decay.
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