BDA: dentistry must be included in nation health debate

The British Dental Association (BDA) has urged prime minister David Cameron not to overlook the importance of dentistry in his public health agenda.

In his first speech since being reelected as prime minister at the head of a majority Conservative government, Mr Cameron outlined a "new approach to public health", with the aim of delivering seven-day access to NHS care.

However, no mention was given to oral care in his speech, leading the BDA to point out that tooth decay is the leading cause of hospital admissions among children, and that dentistry is often overlooked in conversations such as these.

This could lead to the government failing to achieve its goal of more joined-up care, as children could be admitted to hospital for treatment that could be better delivered by a dental practitioner at less cost to the taxpayer.

Mick Armstrong, chair of the BDA, said: "Successive governments have failed to even consider oral health as a part of the health agenda. This government must not make the same mistake."

This comes after the organisation urged returning health secretary Jeremy Hunt last week to continue the previous administration's efforts to overhaul the standard of regulation in the sector.