Nearly Half of England’s Children Missed Dentist Visits in 2022

UK: Disturbing new data reveals that approximately 44% of children in England missed their annual check-up with a National Health Service (NHS) dentist last year, signalling a concerning decline in paediatric dental care access. 

This disconcerting statistic represents a drop of 600,000 children or 9% since 2019. The figures highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the dental sector in its efforts to rebound from the pandemic’s disruptions.

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Importance of Annual Check-ups for Children

While the NHS recommends adults to undergo dental check-ups every two years, the situation is different for children. Kids’ teeth are more susceptible to issues like decay, making it crucial for parents to ensure their children receive an annual dental examination. 

In England, public dental care is provided free of charge for children, although independent care options are available but not always affordable for everyone.

The dental care sector in England continues to grapple with the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic led to a substantial disruption in routine dental services, creating a backlog in dental care needs. However, while the pandemic played a significant role, it is not the sole factor contributing to the current challenges faced by the industry.

The dental care crisis extends beyond children. Adult public dental care in England is under serious strain, with statistics indicating a decline in patient visits. Over the past two years, only 18.1 million adults received treatment from NHS dentists, marking a 17.5% decrease compared to the same period ending in June 2019.

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Furthermore, there has been a notable reduction in the number of treatment courses provided by the NHS. In 2018-19, NHS dentists administered nearly 40 million treatment courses. Over the past year, this figure dwindled to just 32.5 million.

Complex Dental Care Landscape

Most dental services in England are delivered by private practitioners who also work with the NHS. While routine care such as check-ups and essential dental treatments are funded or subsidised by the NHS, cosmetic procedures like tooth whitening and professional cleaning are typically available on a private basis, subject to varying prices.

Dentists performing public work operate under NHS contracts, a system that the British Dental Association (BDA) contends urgently requires substantial reform. According to the BDA, the current NHS dental contract is prompting an increasing number of dentists to shift away from public sector work, exacerbating the challenges faced by the dental care system.

Call for Urgent Action

In response to these distressing statistics, Eddie Crouch, Chair of the British Dental Association, expressed concerns about the government’s ambitions and the state of dental care. Crouch noted that “demoralised dentists” are departing from an ailing system, leaving millions struggling to access essential care.

Lawmaker Daisy Cooper, health and care spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, decried the situation as “completely unacceptable” and called for an urgent rescue package for the dental sector. The statistics underscore the pressing need for comprehensive solutions to address the dental care crisis affecting both children and adults across England.

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