THE TOOTH HURTS

5,000 kids had 23,000 extractions

MORE than 5,000 children had almost 23,000 teeth removed in Northern Ireland last year, figures revealed yesterday.

That emerged as the British Dental Association Northern Ireland called for more to be done to tackle our oral health – which it says is the worst in the UK.

It said “new analysis shows extractions of multiple teeth among under 18s could cost taxpayers more than £9million a year”.

A spokesman added: “Tooth decay is the No1 reason for child hospital admissions in NI. 5,122 children were admitted last year for removal of 22,699 teeth.”

The BDA said it “warmly welcomed calls from Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs for authorities to revisit oral health strategy and to learn vital lessons from significant improvements in Scotland and Wales”.

It said the Scottish Childsmile initiative, which offers advice on looking after children’s teeth from birth up to 12, has reportedly reduced dental treatment costs by £5million a year. Northern

Ireland Council

Chair Roz

Mcmullan said: “With the health service facing huge pressures, Northern Ireland needs to confront a wholly preventable disease that not only causes untold misery, but is now costing us millions.

“Our oral health strategy is well past its sell by date. Wales and Scotland have shown there’s nothing inevitable about child tooth decay, and we can’t afford not to put those lessons into practice.