45% UK Children Visit Dentist by Age Three, Survey Finds

Low Early Dental Attendance Among UK Parents

UK: A recent survey reveals that only 45% of UK parents have taken, or plan to take, their children to see a dentist before the age of three. This statistic is concerning in light of the NHS recommendation that children visit the dentist when their first teeth appear, usually around six months old. Milk teeth, or primary teeth, are vital for early oral health, despite some parents assuming that these “baby teeth” are less critical.

Catherine Rutland, Clinical Director at Denplan, highlighted the misconception, stating, “Unfortunately, many parents think ‘they’re only baby teeth so there’s no need to go to the dentist.’ However, baby teeth can stay with us until we’re around 12 years old.” She noted that this oversight often leads to serious consequences, with tooth decay remaining “the number one reason children aged 6-10 are admitted to hospital, which is deeply saddening.”

Deteriorating Brushing Habits Among Children

The Denplan survey, which collected responses from over 5,000 UK adults, found a worrying trend in children’s brushing habits. According to the survey, one in five parents (21%) admitted that their children brush less than twice a day or sometimes not at all—a rise from 14% the previous year.

This increase in inadequate brushing has sparked concerns among oral health professionals. Ms. Rutland stressed the importance of parental supervision for children’s daily brushing routines. “Many parents are also unaware that brushing should still be supervised by an adult every day until children are over seven years old to be confident they’re doing it correctly,” she explained.

Strong Support for Early Oral Health Education

The survey results suggest that a significant number of parents support educational initiatives to foster early dental care habits. A striking 86% agreed that teaching good oral hygiene from an early age is essential, and 37% felt that oral health education should be part of the school curriculum. Additionally, 49% of parents expressed support for supervised toothbrushing programs in schools to reinforce these habits.

Andy Evans, CEO of Dentaid, echoed the importance of these educational measures, noting, “Every day we see the impact of poor dental health at our charity dental clinics and the effect this has on our patients’ confidence, prospects, and wellbeing. We know that instilling knowledge about the importance of dental health from an early age is critically important.”

Calls for Improved Dental Access and Government Intervention

While education is a key focus, Rutland emphasized that access to dental care must also be addressed. “It’s important to offer quality oral health education in primary schools,” she said. “But our research shows that it cannot be relied on as the only solution if children only benefit four or five years after their first teeth appear.”

Rutland advocates for a “far wider public health education campaign” and a structured approach to ensure local access to dental services for all children. To address these concerns, she called on the government to address the current shortage of dentists and to reform the NHS contract, which she believes would help reduce barriers to accessing care.

The survey also indicates that more than six in 10 NHS dental patients (61%) would consider private dental care, with 38% citing lack of NHS appointment availability as the primary reason.

A Growing Concern in UK Oral Health

The survey’s findings bring renewed focus to the dental challenges facing the UK, particularly for younger children. With support from both parents and dental professionals for government action, the survey underscores a need for stronger public health initiatives, improved access to dental care, and greater parental awareness to ensure the next generation has a strong foundation in oral health.