Dental decay “epidemic” as 134 children a day have tooth extracted in hospital

EMBARGO: IMMEDIATE RELEASE

There were 49,112 tooth extractions for children in hospital in 2023/24, shocking new official figures have shown, the equivalent of 134 a day.

The costs to the NHS were £74.8 million for all tooth extractions.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson Helen Morgan MP said:

“This dental decay epidemic is leaving children in pain and parents sick with worry. It is utterly harrowing to see this many children being failed by the broken dental care system. 

“In far too many parts of the country, getting a dentist’s appointment is still like pulling teeth. Meanwhile the NHS is left facing millions of pounds in extra costs because people couldn’t get a dentist appointment in time.

“The government needs to get a grip of this scandal to ensure everyone that needs a dentist appointment can get one.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

The latest statistics can be found here.