Report reveals ‘shocking’ rates of tooth decay in children in Wiltshire | News

The report describes this number as “much higher” than other councils

A report has revealed there are a “shocking” number of children with cavities in Wiltshire.

In January 2024, the rate of hospitalization for caries in young people aged between 0 and 19 years in the county was 1,036.7 per 100,000.

The report describes this number as “much higher” than Bath & North East Somerset (1,012.4 per 100,000) and Swindon (1,013.6 per 100,000).

It also notes that the most recent data showed that 15.5% of 5-year-olds in Wiltshire have “visually obvious” tooth decay.

This is because many dental practices across the country are no longer accepting NHS patients.

In June 2023, 44.8% of children in Wiltshire had not accessed dental services in the previous 12 months, which was a 13% increase on the previous year.

At the health select committee meeting on Wednesday June 12, Cllr Gordon King commented on the report.

He said: “The number of young children with early tooth decay is really shocking, so education, treatment and prevention, I think, are key topics here.”

Cllr Johnny Kidney agreed the rates were “very alarming”.

The report states that the ICB team and Wiltshire Public Health are working to improve access to dental care.

It concludes: “Further work is needed in Wiltshire, but progress is being made to improve these outcomes.”

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