A SHOCK report has revealed that more than a third of young children in Waverley are affected by tooth decay. The figures show that the problem is on the rise and has prompted calls for consideration to be given to adding fluoride to drinking water to tackle it. Although the area's dental health compares well to the national average, the report into the dental health of five-year-olds across the south-east of England showed that the problem has been getting worse. Across Waverley and Guildford, classified together in line with health care trust boundaries, the report showed that 35 per cent of five-year-old children are affected by tooth decay. In neighbouring West Sussex, the story is even worse with 36 per cent of children affected. However, the news was far better in the north Hampshire area, which includes Liphook, Grayshott and Headley, where 25 per cent of children are suffering. The figures also show that tooth decay in both Surrey and Sussex is on the rise although the trend in Hampshire is the opposite. "The majority of tooth decay in five-year-old children in the SE region is either untreated or treated by the removal of the affected tooth," the report by the South East Public Health Observatory (SEPHO) said. The report also showed that the Waverley area bucked the national trend which shows that areas of affluence are not usually as badly affected by tooth decay as areas of deprivation. Public health dentist and co-author of the report, Kate Jones, said parents have the biggest role in tackling the problem. "Tooth decay is largely preventable and this report emphasises the importance of following basic steps to make sure that young children have healthy teeth and gums," she said. "Parents should restrict the frequency and the amount of sugary food and drinks that young children have. They should ensure that children's teeth are brushed twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. "Children should also be registered with a dentist at an early age and have regular check-ups." The report suggested that education in schools and pre-schools should continue and that health-care providers should draw up action plans to tackle the problem in their areas. As well as improving education, the report also suggested a controversial measure, not yet adopted in the South East, be examined carefully. The report compared the SE to a part of the Midlands where fluoride is added to public water, and it has among the best dental health in the country despite high levels of deprivation. "Recent high-quality reviews of the evidence show that the most effective method for the prevention of tooth decay is the use of fluoride," the report said. "However public consultation and support is a prerequisite." The report suggested that strategic health authorities (SHAs), which are responsible for health care across the counties, should consider this measure in more detail. No one at the Surrey and Sussex SHA was available for a comment at the time The Herald went to press. The Guildford and Waverley Primary Care Trust, responsible for dental care in Waverley, said that it welcomed the report which provided "valuable information" and would be looking at ways it can help reverse the increase. "The report shows that dental health in five-year- old children needs to be improved if we are to reach government targets," a spokeswoman said. "In Guildford and Waverley, we are working very hard with our dental practitioners to make sure that there are dentists that parents can take their children to and be sure that they are being cared for under the NHS. "All practices were invited to take part in a scheme that rewarded them if they could show a net increase in NHS registrations of more than 250 extra NHS patients. Eight practices qualified for the reward and they have continued to take on more patients in the financial year. "Other practices continue to accept NHS patients, which has resulted in a real net increase in NHS patients at the end of March 2005 compared with the same time last year, unlike many other PCTs in Surrey and Sussex. "We are also working hard to help many practices move towards the new NHS contracting arrangements ahead of the national launch in April 2006 and to secure their NHS future. "These initiatives mean that we will be able to provide NHS dentistry for those patients who wish to see an NHS dentist, but it will always be a challenge to ensure totally comprehensive services across the PCT."
