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Kids' Dental Health Crisis: Hospital Extractions Surge 14%
18 Feb
Summary
- Hospital tooth extractions for children rose 14% to 56,143.
- Tooth decay is the primary cause for 60.5% of these extractions.
- Children in deprived areas are over three times more likely to need extraction.
Hospital tooth extractions for children and teenagers have seen a dramatic 14% increase, reaching 56,143 in the financial year ending 2025. This rise, equating to one extraction every nine minutes, highlights a worsening trend in pediatric dental health. Primary tooth decay was the reason for 33,976 of these procedures, an 11% rise.
The statistics reveal that tooth decay is the most common cause for hospital admissions among children aged five to nine. Children in the most deprived communities are over three times more susceptible to needing a tooth extracted for decay than those in wealthier areas. This disparity underscores a significant public health challenge.
Dental professionals express grave concern, labeling the statistics a 'badge of dishonour' and emphasizing that tooth decay's prevalence as a cause for hospital admission cannot be ignored. While some recovery in NHS services post-pandemic is acknowledged, calls are mounting for substantial improvements in access to dental care, preventive programs, and initiatives like supervised toothbrushing and water fluoridation.
