Risk to life from tooth decay, health chief warns

Poor dental health in York presents a long-term risk to health - and is even putting lives at risk - the city's public health director has said.

Peter Roderick was speaking after research found York's worst-affected children will have up to four decayed, extracted or filled teeth by the time they are five.

In a briefing to City of York councillors, he said some children of primary school age in York were missing lessons because of pain caused by problems with their teeth.

"We know that oral health throughout life is not merely an inconvenience, it can - in some cases - be particularly life-threatening and cause particular amounts of pain or distress," Mr Roderick said.

He said the long-term health risks linked to poor dental health included heart disease and stroke.

Oral health habits are set at an "exceptionally early stage," he added, but the research showed that a quarter of children only brushed their teeth once a day.

"Our population are not doing brilliantly when it comes to their oral health and our children and young people, in particular, need a special focus," he said.

The meeting heard oral health campaigns and targeted, supervised toothbrushing were being used to try to intervene at an early stage in children's lives.

"What we found is just giving people toothbrushes and toothpaste and leaving it at that doesn't work," Mr Roderick added.

"It is the support alongside it that makes a difference."

The supervised toothbrushing sessions are being focused on "early years settings" chosen using data which suggests more children from disadvantaged backgrounds will be found there.

Debbie Leadbetter, from the Humber and North Yorkshire Health Care Partnership, told councillors three surgeries in York had signed up to the government's 'Golden Hello' recruitment incentive scheme for dentists taking on new NHS patients.

One of the city's dentists has joined a "fellowship scheme" which will see them mentored by an experienced NHS dentist.

"We do always focus on the most vulnerable," Ms Leadbetter said.

"There are referral pathways for children in care and we are really well linked in with charities supporting women living in refuges or fleeing domestic abuse."

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