Research body Public Health England (PHE) has revealed that 9.2% of children in Derbyshire have evidence of tooth decay, although this is less than the national average of 11.7%, Derbyshire County Council say they are committed to improving the numbers even further.
A spokesman for the council said that they are pleased that the number is below the national average and said that they will work hard to ensure that the percentage does not increase in the coming years. The spokesman said ‘This is really positive and tells us that parents understand the impact poor oral health can have on their children and are taking steps to avoid it. We know there are areas where we can do better and we will be targeting those with oral health promotion initiatives.’
The council is hoping to continue working with communities in the county to improve oral health and the aim is to prevent decay in all children by encouraging ‘good tooth care routines early on, brushing with fluoride toothpaste [and] avoiding too many sugary drinks and sweets.’ By helping children develop good habits with regards to dental health, kids in Derbyshire should be able to enjoy healthy teeth throughout childhood and entering into adulthood.