37% of Greater Manchester five year olds have tooth decay

Survey finds 37% of Greater Manchester five year olds have tooth decay

Despite an overall improvement in the number of children free of tooth decay, over 37% of five year olds in Greater Manchester have tooth decay according to a survey published today (20 September) by Public Health England. Children with decay have on average between nearly four teeth affected by decay, treated or untreated.

The study ‘National Dental Epidemiology Programme for England, oral health survey of five year-old children 2012’ is the second national survey undertaken using new methodology, the previous was in 2008.

A four year trends show an overall improvement in decay and its severity in young children and the 2012 survey found that in the North West overall the proportion of five year olds with tooth decay has reduced from 38.1% to 34.8%. Children in the Greater Manchester area have higher levels of decay than in the rest of the North West. The average 5-year-old has 1.42 decayed, extracted or filled primary teeth, compared with 1.29 in the North West overall.

Dr Gill Davies, Specialist in Dental Public Health in the Greater Manchester Public Health England Centre said: “This latest survey shows the numbers of five year olds free from tooth decay have improved but there is still much to do to reduce the inequalities in levels of dental decay.

“Good home care is the key and parents should brush their child's teeth twice a day, once just before bedtime and in the morning, using family strength fluoride toothpaste. Children should be supervised while tooth brushing until they are seven or eight years old, and either helped to brush or watched to ensure they do it properly.”

The Greater Manchester Local Professional Dental Network has been focussing on the
dental health of pre-school children and is encouraging attendance at dental practices.
Families who do not make regular visits for check-ups have been encouraged to visit a
dentist that is participating in the ‘Baby Teeth DO Matter’ campaign. These practices have been advising families to adopt healthy bedtime routines which involve brushing with adult fluoride toothpaste last thing before bed and having nothing sweet to eat or drink in the last hour before bed.

The national report also shows that levels of decay vary across the country, with more
children in northern regions having tooth decay than those in the south and eastern regions.

The proportion of children with decay ranged from 21.2% of five year olds in the South East and 23% in the East to 29.7% in the North East, 33.6% in Yorkshire and the Humber and 34.8% in the North West.

Dr Davies added: “We know that levels of dental decay vary widely amongst five-year-old children living in different parts of the country and in different life circumstances. The same factors which affect people’s general health such as a healthy diet will affect their oral health too and so we know there are clear links between levels of deprivation and levels of oral health, just as there are with other health issues.”

Prof Paul Johnstone, Regional Director for Public Health England in the North of England, said: “Yet again, the publication of this report tells the story of the inequalities that exist in health experience between the north of England and the rest of the country and we need a joined-up approach across areas and nationally, to look at how by working together we can really turn things round. PHE in the north is collaborating with our key partners to address these issues together, involving the whole country where necessary and sharing good practice.”

From the 1 April 2013 local authorities are responsible for assessing the oral health needs of their local population, developing oral health strategies and commissioning oral health improvement programmes. PHE is providing support to local authorities and are currently developing commissioning guides starting with a focus on the needs of young children. A revised version of Delivering Better Oral Health will be published in 2014. This evidence informed toolkit for prevention will be distributed to all NHS practices in England so they can give the best advice to patients about self-care for themselves and their children.