Dentists urge action over 'crisis' in child dental health

In 2014/15 over 179,218 teeth were removed in children aged nine and under in dental practices across England. Credit: John Giles / PA Wire

Dentists are warning of a "crisis" in child dental after new figures revealed that thousands of children in England had to have decaying teeth removed last year.

New figures showed that in 2014/15 over 179,218 teeth were removed in children aged nine and under in dental practices across England, the British Dental Association (BDA) said.

This statistic is on top of the thousands of young children who have had decayed teeth removed in England's hospitals.

Sara Hurley, chief dental officer, England said: "The sad but completely avoidable reality is that our children and young people now drink more sugary soft drinks than anywhere else in Europe, so we are creating a legacy of obesity and oral health problems.

"So to get serious about tackling tooth loss means getting serious about prevention. Parents and carers need to proactively monitor and reduce the sugar in their children's diet and ensure regular tooth brushing with a fluoride toothpaste.

"Local authorities can also play their part, including by using their licensing powers to restrict junk food outlets near schools."