The NHS dentistry crisis is impacting children in Gateshead, as figures show more than 30% of five-year-olds in the borough have some form of tooth decay.
Figures from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities have revealed 30.5% of five-year-olds in Gateshead are suffering from tooth decay. In a Gateshead Council health meeting these figures were contextualised as four decaying teeth per afflicted child.
Gateshead was ranked the second highest in the region in terms of child tooth decay, beaten only by Middlesbrough.
Read More: Gateshead Council to receive £1.25m to support drug and alcohol misuse recovery
Both areas are significantly higher than the national average of 23.7%.
Councillors were informed the major contributing factors to this include the Covid pandemic, obesity and the ongoing struggle for NHS dental practices to retain staff. Many former NHS dentists, to further compound the issue, are now practising privately or have retired following the pandemic.
Pauline Fletcher, the senior care manager for North East and North Cumbria care, however, reassured councillors that practices are being offered further financial assistance in order to increase patient capacity. Ms Fletcher also stressed that dental care for children is free and that children, particularly those with poor oral health, will be prioritised on the NHS.
Ms Fletcher said: "Children identified as a priority group for treatment, there is very much national guidance to dental practices on that. NHS dental care is free and we are exploring all opportunities to increase capacity as quickly as possible but we do acknowledge that there are challenges in the system."
In light of the circumstances, health officials told councillors the key to tackling worsening oral health in children was prevention. Health officials present expressed a desire to collaborate with the council in order to prevent further tooth decay in children.
According to the NHS, the most effective ways to avoid tooth decay include brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing and using sugar-free medicines and foods.
The NHS also recommends avoiding or giving up smoking to prevent tooth decay.
Read More:
- Riverside councillor to part with e-scooter after questions raised from election leaflet
- Gateshead Council data breaches on increase since 2020 due to 'human error'
- Gateshead Civic Centre largely empty with running costs spiralling to £1.4m per year
- Northumbria NHS Trust aims to reduce medication delays for Parkinson's patients
- Councillors call for 24-hour A&E to be restored at Rake Lane hospital in North Shields
