In the U.K., health experts are worried about the numbers of children who need to have rotten teeth removed in hospital. For the most recent twelve months reviewed (2013-2014), a staggering 26,000 children, aged between five to nine, needed to go into hospital in England with tooth decay at a ‘severe’ level. By severe, this means that the extent of the tooth decay could not be handled at an ordinary dental practice. To add to this, a total of 46,500 children and young people under 19 had to be hospitalized due to tooth decay.
Tooth decay (or caries) refers to a breakdown of teeth due to the activities of different oral bacteria. Symptoms may include pain and difficulty with eating, and teeth changing color, ranging from yellow to black.
According to the Royal College of Surgeons a “crisis point” has been reached, with many hospitals unable to cope with the number of admissions. Speaking with the BBC, Professor Nigel Hunt, from the Royal College of Surgeons’ dental faculty, said: “It is absolutely intolerable that in this day and age, in a civilised country, children are having so many teeth out for decay, which is over 90 percent preventable.”
He also added: “We need to stop talking and have action to bring several bodies together – the Royal College of Surgeons, Public Health England, NHS England, government and industry to make sure we improve all aspects of oral health.” NHS is the U.K. National Health Service.
The Royal College of Surgeons is calling for greater health promotion and educating of parents.
