Although oral health is improving in England almost a quarter (24.7%) of 5-year old’s have tooth decay, meaning 1 in 4 will have tooth decay when they start school. In fact, every 10 minutes a child in England has a rotten tooth removed. It is the most common reason that children aged between five and nine need treatment in hospital.
Poor oral health impacts on children and family’s wellbeing and is almost totally preventable. Children who have tooth ache or who need treatment due to poor oral health may have to be absent from school.