Whole mouth extractions evidence of continuing decay epidemic

It warns it is just the most extreme evidence of an epidemic of tooth decay among the young, with those from disadvantaged backgrounds suffering the most.

According to official figures 322 children under 10 underwent the procedure – to remove all their teeth under general anaesthetic– in English hospitals in the last five years.

Dentist leaders have called on local and national authorities in England to do more to tackle preventable oral disease. Devolved governments in Wales and Scotland have set up dedicated programmes that have secured historic reductions in child tooth decay. The BDA has characterised official efforts in England as ‘second class’, with the Government’s centrepiece Starting Well policy operating in parts of just 13 local authorities, with no new investment attached.