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| 'Half of eight-year-olds have tooth decay' | 'Half of eight-year-olds have tooth decay' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Nearly half of eight-year-olds and a third of five-year-olds have signs of decay in their milk teeth, a national dental health survey has found. | Nearly half of eight-year-olds and a third of five-year-olds have signs of decay in their milk teeth, a national dental health survey has found. |
| The 2013 Children's Dental Health Survey for England, Wales and Northern Ireland also found that 46% of 15-year-olds had decay in their teeth. | The 2013 Children's Dental Health Survey for England, Wales and Northern Ireland also found that 46% of 15-year-olds had decay in their teeth. |
| But there were signs of improvement compared with 10 years ago, with an overall reduction in the number of cavities in children's teeth. | But there were signs of improvement compared with 10 years ago, with an overall reduction in the number of cavities in children's teeth. |
| Nearly 10,000 children were surveyed. | |
| The survey - commissioned by the Health and Social Care Information Centre - is carried out every 10 years and is seen as a good barometer of children's dental health. | The survey - commissioned by the Health and Social Care Information Centre - is carried out every 10 years and is seen as a good barometer of children's dental health. |
| Fall in decay | Fall in decay |
| Overall the figures are encouraging. There were reductions in tooth decay present in the permanent teeth of 12 and 15-year-olds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland between 2003 and 2013. | Overall the figures are encouraging. There were reductions in tooth decay present in the permanent teeth of 12 and 15-year-olds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland between 2003 and 2013. |
| The percentage of 12-year-olds affected by tooth decay fell from 43% in 2003 to 34% in 2013. | |
| In 15-year-olds, there was a reduction from 56% to 46%. | In 15-year-olds, there was a reduction from 56% to 46%. |
| In Scotland, dental inspections also show continued reductions in the percentage of children with tooth decay. | |
| Figures from 2014 found that 32% of children aged five had tooth decay. Among children aged 10-11, around 28% were affected. | |
| But large proportions of young and teenaged children continue to be affected by oral disease across the UK. | |
| Deprived families | Deprived families |
| The survey found that rates of tooth decay were much higher among children in more deprived families, where more than 40% of five-year-olds have some decay - compared with just 29% among better-off families. | The survey found that rates of tooth decay were much higher among children in more deprived families, where more than 40% of five-year-olds have some decay - compared with just 29% among better-off families. |
| In 15-year-olds, that figure rises to nearly 60%, while among those from wealthier backgrounds, it is 43%. | In 15-year-olds, that figure rises to nearly 60%, while among those from wealthier backgrounds, it is 43%. |
| Older children who were affected by oral health problems said they had impacted on their daily lives. | Older children who were affected by oral health problems said they had impacted on their daily lives. |
| One in five 12 and 15-year-olds said they had experienced difficulty eating in the past three months while one in three 12-year-olds said they were embarrassed to smile or laugh because of the condition of teeth. | One in five 12 and 15-year-olds said they had experienced difficulty eating in the past three months while one in three 12-year-olds said they were embarrassed to smile or laugh because of the condition of teeth. |
| And parents were not immune to the impact of dental health problems. | And parents were not immune to the impact of dental health problems. |
| One in five parents of 15-year-olds said they had taken time off work because of their child's oral health in the last six months. | One in five parents of 15-year-olds said they had taken time off work because of their child's oral health in the last six months. |
| 'Serious disease' | 'Serious disease' |
| Dr Sandra White, director of dental public health at Public Health England, said it was good news that tooth decay levels were falling and more children were brushing their teeth twice a day, but there was no room for complacency. | Dr Sandra White, director of dental public health at Public Health England, said it was good news that tooth decay levels were falling and more children were brushing their teeth twice a day, but there was no room for complacency. |
| "Tooth decay is a serious, preventable disease and this survey echoes the need to urgently reduce the amount of sugary snacks and drinks in our children's diets. | "Tooth decay is a serious, preventable disease and this survey echoes the need to urgently reduce the amount of sugary snacks and drinks in our children's diets. |
| "Fluoride is indisputable in preventing tooth decay and by brushing teeth using fluoride toothpaste and also introducing water fluoridation where needed, we can significantly improve our children's dental health." | "Fluoride is indisputable in preventing tooth decay and by brushing teeth using fluoride toothpaste and also introducing water fluoridation where needed, we can significantly improve our children's dental health." |