New data shows that more children in England are having decayed teeth removed in hospitals, sparking concern among dental experts and health officials. Figures from the NHS reveal that during the financial year ending 2025, 56,143 tooth extractions were carried out for young people aged up to 19. This marks a 14% increase from the previous year.
Tooth decay remains the leading reason for hospital admissions among children aged five to nine, with 33,976 extractions attributed to decay. In children up to nine years old, the share of extractions due to decay rises even higher, with 80% of procedures for those up to four years old, and 86.5% for those aged five to nine. Health experts point out that these numbers highlight ongoing challenges in preventing dental disease.
Dentists and pediatric dental associations have called for urgent action. The British Dental Association warned that the current figures reflect a wider problem, as not enough is being done to help families access dental care. Many children, especially those in less affluent communities, are at higher risk. According to the data, children in deprived areas are more than three times as likely to have teeth removed due to decay compared to their peers in wealthier neighborhoods.
Experts agree that while some increase in dental procedures may be related to the NHS resuming routine work after the pandemic, more prevention and early access to dental teams are necessary. Suggestions include supervised toothbrushing schemes, adding fluoride to community water, and ensuring every child has a dental check-up by age one. Reducing sugar consumption among children is also a key goal for health advocates.
Dental leaders emphasize that no child should have to suffer from a disease that is mostly preventable. They urge the government to ensure that every child, regardless of where they live, has timely access to dental services. Evaluating new prevention programs and restoring access to dental care are seen as vital steps to reverse the increase in childhood tooth extractions.
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