Rise in tooth decay cases in Sussex linked to areas of deprivation (From The Argus)
Get involved: Send your news, views, pictures and video by texting SUPIC to 80360 or email us.
Rise in tooth decay cases in Sussex linked to areas of deprivation
7:10pm Monday 18th March 2013 in News By Siobhan Ryan, Health Reporter
Admissions to hospital for tooth decay are on the rise in Sussex.
New figures showed people from around the county had to go in for tooth extractions and other treatment 4,751 times in one year.
This was a 5% increase on the year before.
However, there were differences across Sussex, with admissions in Brighton and Hove falling from 888 between December 2010 and November 2011 to 873 a year later.
East Sussex Downs and Weald also fell from 1,293 to 1,227 but there was a rise in the Hastings and Rother area from 680 to 794.
The number of hospital treatments in West Sussex also increased, from 1,641 to 1,857.
Experts believe the rise is linked to areas of deprivation, where there are higher numbers of people, particularly children, who may have a poor diet with a high sugar content that can lead to tooth decay.
Others may also avoid going to the dentist because of concerns over the potential cost.
Regular check ups
Health bosses say they have been working to increase access to NHS dentists around the county but in some areas there are still many people who are not getting treatment.
A spokeswoman for NHS Sussex said: “There are many things that people can do to keep their teeth healthy and prevent tooth decay such as brushing their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cutting down on sugary drinks and snacks and not smoking.
“It’s also important that we all go for regular check-ups with a dentist – dental problems are much easier to treat if they are detected early and any untreated problems could be more complicated to fix or cause lasting damage.
“We are continuing to work hard to ensure local people can easily access high quality NHS dental care.
“There are many practices throughout Sussex accepting new NHS patients.”
Anyone seeking an NHS dentist should call the NHS Dental Helpline on 0300 1000899.
See the latest news headlines from The Argus:
- Albion players cleared of sexually assaulting a teenage girl
- Your say: Are the Greens fit to run Brighton and Hove City Council?
- Hove police station will be turned into a school
- Footballer charged with making homophobic gesture during Albion match
- Glazier leads minority Tory administration in East Sussex
Add us to your circles on Google+
Comments(3)
jazzgrove
says...
10:18pm Mon 18 Mar 13
Morpheus
says...
8:34am Tue 19 Mar 13
Nosfaratu wrote:It wouldn't have cost as much if you hadn't already paid to the NHS. It should contribute to the treatment when patients decide to have private treatment. It is the NHS that is the rip off , not private dentists.
Personally speaking, it cost me £1600 pounds to have three treatments.
Not many people could afford this level of costs and I will not pay this much again.
Private Dentists are ripping everone off to their own demise.
Nosfaratu says...
8:22pm Mon 18 Mar 13
Not many people could afford this level of costs and I will not pay this much again.
Private Dentists are ripping everone off to their own demise.