The NHSE data showed 21,162 children aged 5 to 9 were admitted to hospital in 2024/2025 due to tooth decay, compared to 13,667 children admitted for acute tonsillitis.

The number of 5- to 9-year-olds admitted to hospital due to decay also rose slightly when compared to the previous year.  

Dr Charlotte Eckhardt, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (FDS) at the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England), said: ‘These figures are a public health emergency. Tooth decay is entirely preventable, yet thousands of children are hospitalised every year for procedures that could have been avoided with simple daily habits and better access to an NHS dentist. The Government's dental contract must be boldly overhauled if they want to improve patient access and outcomes.'

RCS England also called on the Government to strengthening the Soft Drinks Levy by lowering the sugar threshold from 5g to 4g per 100ml and extending it to milk-based drinks.

Figures released by the NHS Business Services Authority last month showed more than 43% of children have not seen an NHS dentist in the past year.