Children’s oral health improves

More than three-quarters of primary 7 children had no obvious decay in their permanent teeth in 2017 as child oral health continues to improve, new figures show.

The National Dental Inspection Programme statistics showed that 77% of the youngsters had no obvious decay, a steady improvement from 53% in 2005.

Children in Orkney had the best teeth, with 90.4% showing no obvious decay, while those in Greater Glasgow and Clyde had the worst (73.1%).

The figures also showed a link between deprivation and poor dental health.

Only 65.6% of P7 children in the most deprived areas had no obvious decay experience compared with 86.5% in the least deprived areas.

The figures, published by Information Services Division Scotland, showed the average number of P7 children’s teeth affected by obvious decay experience in 2017 was 0.49 – less than half the average number of teeth affected in 2005 when it was 1.29.

Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “These welcome statistics show a further improvement in the oral health of children.

“More than three-quarters (77%) of primary 7 children now have no tooth decay, that’s up from 59% a decade ago.

“This demonstrates that our programmes such as Childsmile are making a significant difference.”