WIREDGOV

Chairman of the Local Government Association's Community Wellbeing Board, Cllr Izzi Seccombe, responds to new dental statistics published last week by NHS Digital.

"It is deeply worrying that more than a third of children have not been to the dentist in the past 12 months.

"Regular dentist trips can ensure tooth decay is tackled at an early stage, and avoid the need for far more invasive treatment in hospital later on.

"As we have previously said, hospitals spent £35 million removing teeth in under 18s in 2014/15 - a 61 per cent increase over five years - which shows the scale of the oral health challenge we face in children and young people.

"Councils across the country are working with their communities to promote the importance of children having good oral hygiene, but clearly we need to take a national approach to the issue.

"Having good oral health can help children learn at school, and improve their ability to thrive and develop, not least because it will prevent school absence."

Notes to editors

Tackling poor oral health in children