Statement from the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (BASCD) on the Latest Child Dental Health Survey
The British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (BASCD) welcomes the findings of the latest National Dental Epidemiology Programme (NDEP) child dental health survey on five-year-old schoolchildren in England. For the second time in this series of surveys, the prevalence of children with enamel decay has been reported, highlighting an important threshold for understanding early-stage dental decay. This provides valuable insight into the proportion of children who, under previous measures, would have been considered free of obvious decay.
The findings show that the national prevalence of children with enamel and/or dentinal decay is 26.9%, with regional variation from 23.3% in the East of England to 36.8% in the North West. The prevalence of dentinal decay in five-year-olds has slightly decreased from 23.7% in 2022 to 22.4% in 2024. Among those affected, an average of 3.5 teeth per child had decay experience.
BASCD acknowledges the reduction in the prevalence of dentinal decay observed over the past decade. However, we remain concerned that there has been little progress in reducing inequalities in oral health over the past several years. The findings show that children from the most deprived areas are more than twice as likely to experience dentinal decay (32.2%) compared to those in the least deprived areas (13.6%). Furthermore, disparities remain evident among ethnic groups, with the highest prevalence of decay found in the Other ethnic group (45.4%) and the Asian or Asian British ethnic group (37.7%).
It is concerning that despite overall improvements in decay prevalence over time, the rate of decline has stalled in recent years. This stagnation highlights the urgent need for continued investment in public health measures and targeted interventions to address oral health inequalities.
Dental decay remains a largely preventable disease caused by frequent consumption of sugary food and drinks. Poor oral health significantly impacts children and their families, leading to pain, infections, difficulty eating, and days missed from school. Parents may also need to take time off work to seek care for their children. The BASCD emphasizes the importance of preventive strategies, including supervised toothbrushing schemes, targeted public health initiatives, and policies to reduce sugar consumption.
BASCD calls for:
- Strengthened and sustained efforts to address oral health inequalities, particularly in deprived communities and among high-risk groups.
- Continued monitoring and reporting on enamel decay to provide a fuller picture of early-stage dental disease.
- Investment in evidence-based public health programs, including community fluoride initiatives and oral health education.
- Policy interventions to reduce sugar consumption in children’s diets.
BASCD remains committed to supporting research, policy, and practice that improve children’s oral health and reduce inequalities. We urge policymakers, healthcare professionals, and community leaders to prioritize oral health as an essential part of child well-being and overall health equity.