Data shows rise in operations to remove rotten teeth from children

Concerns have been raised over the growing number of hospital operations being carried out to remove rotting teeth from children and teenagers.

Data from the Local Government Association (LGA) has shown there were more than 40,000 hospital operations to remove teeth in children and teenagers last year – the equivalent of more than 160 a day.

The total cost of these operations in England and Wales was more than £35.6 million, representing a 10.7 percent rise in the number of operations from 2012-13. Of particular concern is the fact that these operations were in response to tooth decay so severe that the treatment had to be performed in a hospital under general anaesthetic, rather than by a dentist.

According to the LGA, excessive consumption of sugary food and drink and poor oral hygiene is likely to be a major cause behind the high number of cases, with the organisation calling for immediate government action to tackle the problem.

Izzi Seccombe, chair of the LGA's community wellbeing board, said: "Poor oral health can affect children and young people's ability to sleep, eat, speak, play and socialise with others. Having good oral health can help children learn at school, and improve their ability to thrive and develop."

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