Charity calls for new approach to dentistry to urgently halt dental crisis

The charity has made the appeal in an attempt to halt the dental health crisis the UK is experiencing; with more than 33,000 under tens being admitted to hospital for tooth extractions under general anaesthetic in the last year alone.

President of the Oral Health Foundation, Janet Goodwin, said: “It is absolutely heart breaking to witness what we are currently experiencing in the UK; to have so many children suffering needlessly due to poor oral health is appalling, something is fundamentally wrong and changes must be made urgently.

“We are appealing for a significant change in how the Government approaches dentistry to ensure there is a committed focus on prevention and education so we can help stop problems in their tracks.

“We are waiting with baited breath on the new NHS contract for dentists, which the Government have taken far too long to implement.

“The current system is failing those most in need by prioritising output over outcome. The new contract must address this and ensure that as many people as possible are able to access a dentist when they need to.