Doctor’s warn child’s tooth removal is at ‘crisis point’

BBC News has reported that many hospitals are reaching 'crisis point' trying to manage the number of children who are having a general anaesthetic for extractions due to tooth decay.

A report by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) published earlier this year showed tooth decay was the most common reason five to nine-year-olds were admitted to hospital.

Approximately 46,500 children and young people under 19 were admitted to hospital with tooth decay in 2013-14, with 25,812 in the five to nine age group, a 14% increase since 2010-11.

The report says there may be several reasons for this rise, including children not accessing a dentist until it is too late or more children not brushing their teeth properly.

The RCS says £30m was spent on hospital-based tooth extractions for children aged 18 years and under in 2012-13.

"Many hospitals are reaching crisis point in managing the number of children referred for a general anaesthetic for tooth decay" said Prof Nigel Hunt, dean of the Royal College of Surgeons' dental faculty.

"Some people are having to wait over six months to access that service, some even up to a year in one particular centre. During that time that child will be in pain, suffering and perhaps having repeated antibiotics. All of this is unacceptable."

At Queensway Dental Clinic we take our responsibility to try and prevent tooth decay in young children very seriously. In response to this shocking report we would like to share with our patients the work we are doing to promote preventative dentistry and educate children and their parents in our community on the risks of hidden sugars in food and drinks that are damaging teeth at such an early age.

• Longer appointments for children with our dental therapists. We have a team of 5 dental therapists who have an important role in working with child patients to promote dental health and instigate an appropriate preventative regime including the application of fluoride varnish if required, to provide extra protection against tooth decay.

• We have a purpose-built preventative dentistry unit run by a dedicated Oral Health Nurse. Every day we deliver important advice to children and their parents on brushing, tooth friendly diet and how to improve oral health. This is a free service available to all patients.

• We run an educational program for the community fronted by Tilly and Toby the Tooth Troopers. We have so far visited and delivered an interactive presentation to over 800 pupils in the North East.

Tooth decay is a disease that is completely preventable. By following these top tips it will greatly lower your child’s risk of developing tooth decay and improve their overall oral health.

• Brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes with a fluoride toothpaste once in the morning and once before bedtime (for children under 3 use a smear of toothpaste containing at least 1000ppm fluoride and for children aged 3 and over use a pea-size amount of toothpaste containing at least 1450ppm fluoride.)

• Remember to supervise your children’s brushing at least until the age of 7.

• Spit out the toothpaste after brushing but do not rinse your mouth.

• Restrict treats to meal times and avoid snacks and sweet tasting drinks in between meals or before bedtime.

• Be aware of hidden sugars – always read the labels on packaging as terms such as ‘no added sugar’ can be deceiving.

• Visit your dentist regularly.

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