In response to the release of the latest Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data from NHS Digital[1], BSPD reiterates the need for every child to have early access to preventively focused oral healthcare. The HES data published today describes the numbers of children admitted to NHS hospitals in England for dental treatment. The Society says it represents an incomplete data set as children receiving care within community dental services are currently unlikely to be included. These children, many of whom have additional needs, often endure longer waiting times, particularly as community dental teams are facing increased referrals due to the challenges families face in accessing primary dental care.
The data does show increases in hospital episodes amongst children and young people in the last year, however, BSPD urges caution in interpretation of this data as a deterioration in children’s oral health. It is much more likely to represent continued recovery of general anaesthetic services which should be welcomed as clinical teams work hard to reduce the number of children on waiting lists.
BSPD calls for expansion of initiatives such as Child Friendly / Focused Dental Practices (CFDP), which have been shown to successfully treat two thirds of children who would otherwise have been referred into stretched community or hospital dental services.
Dr Oosh Devalia, BSPD President, said: “Care must be taken not to read too much into variations in the hospital episode statistics just released, since this information is not a complete data set. For example, activity within Community-based services is significant and often not included. BSPD urges policymakers to keep a steady focus on the priorities that we know will help turn around children’s oral health – such as supervised toothbrushing, community water fluoridation and early access to dental teams.
“Last year I issued my BSPD President’s Charter which outlined nine priorities to support children and young people to enjoy good oral health. These guidelines for policymakers include the integration of oral health into other healthcare settings, with initiatives such as Mini Mouth Care Matters, the enabling of children and young people with special educational needs to be able to benefit from oral health initiatives and every child having access to oral health information in a language and format they can understand. We also need to cut under 16s’ sugar consumption – and importantly push for every child to have a ‘dental home’, with access to a dental check by their first birthday. Together these interventions will get to work on bringing the hospital episode numbers down for children.”
Reference
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hospital-tooth-extractions-in-0-to-19-year-olds-2025/short-statistical-commentary-for-hospital-tooth-extractions-in-0-to-19-year-olds-2025
