UK's dental decay 'epidemic' revealed

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

© jarmoluk/pixabay

© jarmoluk/pixabay

The data also shows that the costs to the NHS was £74.8m for all tooth extractions.

Liberal Democrat health and social care spokesperson Helen Morgan, 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.'

She added: ‘The government needs to get a grip of this scandal to ensure everyone that needs a dentist appointment can get one.'

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