UK schools bottom of the class for oral health education

According to the findings of a new YouGov survey, less than one in three (29 per cent) British children aged between five and 16 are given lessons about the importance of good oral care.

The research highlights how far UK schools are falling behind when it comes to teaching young children about looking after the health of their mouth.

Mexico top the global list, where more than nine in ten (93 per cent) school children are being taught about the importance of oral health.

The UK are also significantly behind the United States (53 per cent), Australia (54 per cent), Germany (69 per cent), China (77 per cent), Brazil and India (91 per cent).

Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation, says the results of the survey further reinforce the need for a more hands-on approach from the government. 

He said, “The news that the UK is at the bottom of the heap when it comes to oral health education is extremely disappointing but is sadly not a surprise.