Rise in children admitted to hospital with rotting teeth

Experts have described the findings as indicative of a "major public health issue".

Up to 30,000 children a year are admitted to hospital for dental work with 80 per cent of cases involving extractions.

Tooth decay accounts for more than half of all extractions in children aged 17 and under. The figure has increased by 66 per cent since 1997 according to the report published by the British Dental Journal.

The majority of extractions involve the patient being given a general anaesthetic, which can be dangerous to children.

The study noted that children from poorer backgrounds were particularly at risk, being twice as likely to need treatment as those from more affluent areas.

Read the rest on the Telegraph web site.

Comments