04/02/2004

Children need to brush up on teeth care

The state of children's teeth in Northern Ireland came under the spotlight today after it was revealed that over 7,000 children had teeth removed during 2002.

Figures compiled by DHSSPS showed that 29,544 teeth were removed from the mouths of children during that year.

Figures from dental health surveys in Northern Ireland show that by age 5, 60% of children already have tooth decay. By age 15 this figure will have risen to 80% of children/young adults having tooth decay.

Commenting on the statistics, the British Dental Association for Northern Ireland said everyone should be concerned about today's figures.

"Tooth decay is a preventable disease and that's why it is so important to encourage children to look after their teeth and visit the dentist regularly", a spokesperson said. "Good oral health education also has an important part to play in informing parents and children about the prevention of future disease."

At present Northern Ireland weighs in at the bottom of UK dental health surveys, and displays significantly worse dental health than that experienced by children in the Republic of Ireland.

(MB)

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