UK Children’s Dental Health Remains Critical Despite Efforts

Children’s dental health in the United Kingdom continues to show concerning trends, despite recent government interventions aimed at improving access to dental care. A new analysis by the Child of the North initiative reveals that rates of tooth decay among children remain alarmingly high, particularly in disadvantaged communities. The report, titled Improving Children’s Oral Health Update: Integrated Health and Education Solutions, is the seventh installment of the #ChildrenFirst campaign and highlights both progress and the need for intensified efforts.

The report acknowledges the government’s actions over the past year, which include the introduction of a national supervised toothbrushing program, plans to expand water fluoridation in the North East of England, and new restrictions on the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children. Despite these efforts, children in England’s most deprived areas are still more than three times as likely to require hospital admissions for tooth extractions compared to their peers in wealthier regions.

Analysis from the report indicates that while the government has made commendable strides, the overall state of children’s oral health has not improved significantly. Peter Day, a Professor of Children’s Oral Health at the University of Leeds, co-led the report with Zoe Marshman, a Professor of Dental Public Health at the University of Sheffield. Both experts have been instrumental in advising the UK’s supervised toothbrushing program, which aims to benefit up to 600,000 children in underserved areas. Since its launch in March 2025, the program has already reached 240,000 children across various schools and nurseries.

Professor Day expressed optimism about the government’s initiatives but emphasized the need for ongoing evaluation. “These are exciting times. While disease levels remain stubbornly high—impacting our most vulnerable children and families—the government has taken important steps to implement the policy recommendations outlined in our original report,” he stated. He highlighted the importance of school engagement in achieving broader benefits, including improved educational outcomes.

Professor Marshman noted that the situation has not significantly improved over the past decade. “Since our first national report was published in September 2024, there have been major new ambitious initiatives announced with real potential to address this worrying trend,” she said, stressing the necessity for cooperation among government, educational institutions, and health professionals to foster a comprehensive approach to children’s oral health.

The #ChildrenFirst campaign, initiated at the National Opportunity Summit on September 8, 2025, aims to create practical tools for schools and local authorities to improve health and well-being among children. These toolkits, available for free download, provide evidence-based strategies for addressing issues such as poverty, educational needs, and mental health, while also aligning with the government’s Opportunity Mission to enhance children’s life prospects.

Baroness Anne Longfield, Founder of the Center for Young Lives, welcomed the government’s recent actions but highlighted the ongoing crisis in children’s oral health. “The reality is that far too many children continue to suffer the effects of poor oral health, particularly in areas of higher deprivation,” she remarked. She called for a national plan to tackle the issue, urging all stakeholders to play their part.

The reports produced under the #ChildrenFirst initiative draw on extensive research from academic experts across the North of England, including institutions such as the N8 Research Partnership and several universities. Recommendations from these reports have significantly influenced the UK Government’s policies, aimed at breaking down barriers that hinder children’s development.

Professor Mark Mon-Williams, who edited the report series, emphasized the importance of addressing children’s dental health as a critical aspect of overall well-being. “The number of children with rotten teeth is a powerful indicator of the wider decay in child well-being that is affecting millions of young lives across the UK,” he stated. He called for concerted efforts to ensure that improvements reach every community, reinforcing the connection between good oral health and a child’s ability to thrive academically.

For more details, the report update, original report, and toolkits can be accessed on the N8 Research Partnership website.