Scots children have worst teeth in UK

Published on Monday 16 April 2007 12:25

CHILDREN in Scotland have the worst teeth in the UK, according to a new survey.

A study of five-year-olds found that 44.8 per cent of Lothian youngsters had fillings, missing teeth or some level of decay, while the Scottish average was 46 per cent. This compared with an average of 38.8 per cent in England and Wales.

The research also found that just nine per cent of five-year-olds in Scotland have access to an NHS dentist, compared to 11 per cent in England and Wales.

Children in Glasgow had the worst dental health, with 52.6 per cent of those questioned suffering from decay, while youngsters from Forth Valley were the least likely to suffer from poor dental health at 31.9 per cent.

Almost 240,000 children across the UK were questioned for the survey, carried out by The British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry.

The study is likely to lead to renewed calls for fluoride to be added to Scottish water supplies.