In England, during the 2023/2024 financial year, 31,165 tooth extractions were performed on children and young people (aged 0-19) due to tooth decay, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities reports. This represents 66% of the total 47,581 tooth extractions carried out on this age group and shows a 17% increase in decay-related extractions compared to the previous year.
This problem isn’t evenly spread across the country. Yorkshire and the Humber have the highest rate of extractions (405 per 100,000 children), while the East Midlands have the lowest (80 per 100,000). Even within specific age groups, there are stark differences:
- Youngest children (0-4): Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin have the highest extraction rates.
- Primary school age (5-9): Somerset has the highest rates.
- Older children and teens (10-19): Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland consistently have the lowest rates.
Children and young people in the most deprived communities experience 3.5 times higher rates of decay-related tooth extractions than those in the least deprived areas. Tooth decay remains the primary cause of hospital admissions for children aged 5 to 9.
Data viewpoints
Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation, said:
“In the face of staggering oral health inequalities, it is disheartening to witness over 30,000 teeth being extracted due to tooth decay. It is a stark reminder of the persistent connection between dental health and deprivation. The current data reveals a concerning truth – although the number of extractions is lower than pre-COVID levels, the lingering backlogs in the system obscure the real extent of the issue. This situation is unequivocally unacceptable, demanding immediate action.”
Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said:
“Alarmingly, these figures highlight stark inequalities in oral health. Children living in the most deprived areas are nearly 3.5 times more likely to undergo tooth extractions due to decay than those in the most affluent communities. This persistent inequality must be addressed.”
Dr Charlotte Eckhardt, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of England said:
“While we must continue to encourage children and young people to brush regularly with fluoride toothpaste, visit a dentist routinely, and reduce sugary food and drinks intake, these measures alone are not enough. This data reveals a substantial ongoing cost to the NHS and highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve dental access for all children and young people, particularly in underserved communities. The lack of access to an NHS dentist is an issue of inequity. Significant reforms to the NHS dental contract are needed to support the workforce in delivering a comprehensive service. We call on the government to deliver a timeline for these reforms immediately.”