A shocking new report has found that children in England are experiencing long waits for NHS dental care and reveals the areas with the worst oral health.
The latest figures have found that NHS dentists performed 9.8 million fillings, fissure sealants and tooth extractions on adults and 3.3 million on children across the country in 2020/21. This equates to 219 fillings, fissure sealants and extractions performed for every 1,000 adults across the population, and 284 for every 1,000 children.
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Dentists often carry out these procedures when a patient is suffering from tooth decay, and they usually intervene by filling holes in their teeth, removing the tooth altogether, or reapplying protective sealants.
However, the report highlights a regional divide, as all of the areas with the highest rates of these procedures are in the north, and the areas with the lowest rates are in the south.
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The data, which was obtained under freedom of information by the Liberal Democrats, also shows that children in some parts of England are waiting up to 18 months on average for dental procedures under general anaesthetic, which mainly includes tooth extractions. In some cases, children have to wait years in pain for medical attention.
Daisy Cooper, the Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, said: “These figures show a stark postcode lottery, with families in some areas struggling to access the dental care they so desperately need.
“It is heartbreaking to think that some children are being left waiting in pain for months or even years for the specialised dental care they need. Every child deserves access to the dental care they need, regardless of where they live.
“The government must take urgent action to address this dental crisis, including tackling staff shortages and reforming the broken system that has driven dentists away from offering NHS appointments.”
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Around 27,000 children were on waiting lists for specialist dental care, assessments or procedures in January, revealed figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats from the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA).
The Guardian explains that these figures cover NHS community dental services, which provide treatments to patients that require specialist dental care due to their specific needs.
These patients include children with special needs, children with physical or learning disabilities, children living in foster homes, children who are homeless, and children who are on “at risk” registers.
It also includes youngsters whose tooth decay has become so severe that they now require specific treatment for complex dental problems.
The Department of Health and Social Care said it was working to improve access to NHS dental care. A spokesperson said: “We have increased the funding practices receive for urgent care, to encourage dentists to provide more NHS treatments and we’re also taking preventive measures to improve children’s oral health, such as expanding water fluoridation schemes – which can significantly reduce the number of children experiencing tooth decay. Further reforms are planned for this year.”
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