Wirral’s health officers were under pressure to resume dental screening in primary schools after many cases of tooth decay emerged from the region. According to the statistics from the Association of Public Health Observatories (APHO), the national average for dental problems was high among children in Wirral.

According to the report, a 5 year old child would have at least 1.5 teeth decayed, filled or extracted. In Wirral, the statistic was higher, showing 1.7 teeth with severe problems for an average 5 year old.

Jeff Clarke, the man to look out for as the next MP for Wirral South has begun to urge the Primary Care Trust (PCT) to resume the dental screening programme for all primary-age children in school. This practice was stopped by the PCT.

Mr. Clarke said: "Local mums and dads may not be aware that the Primary Care Trust has decided to stop screening many of our children for dental health. With higher levels of decaying teeth, fillings and extractions among the borough’s children, there is clearly a need for the Primary Care Trust to work more closely with dentists, schools and parents to tackle this problem. It was a great way of identifying those children needing treatment, as well as providing advice to parents on the action required. We encourage patients to access general dental practitioners for all the family so that they can receive dental care.

Source-Medindia
SAV/L