English authorities resting on laurels in face of decay epidemic, say BDA

Despite being almost entirely preventable, tooth decay remains the leading cause of hospital admissions for children aged five to nine. The number of extractions is continuing to increase in line with England’s population.

Recent Parliamentary Questions by shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth have revealed that children are yet to see any benefit from the government’s centrepiece policy Starting Well. Aimed at improving oral health outcomes for 'high risk' children, the scheme has no new funding attached, and is currently operating in parts of just 13 local authorities in England.

The BDA has categorised the response from authorities in England as 'second rate' and called for a national effort capable of delivering transformative improvements in children's oral health. The Scottish initiative Childsmile, has already reduced the bill for dental treatment costs by £5 million a year. The Welsh equivalent Designed to Smile has secured a record breaking 12 point fall in decay since 2007.