Paul Burstow

Liberal Democrats | Sutton and Cheam

Tooth decay in Sutton's children is 32% higher than national target - Burstow

Sutton & Cheam MP Paul Burstow today revealed new figures that show the average number of decayed or cavity filled teeth for five-year-old children in Sutton and Merton PCT is 32% above the national government target, set for 2003 to reduce tooth decay.

Ministers set two national targets to curb the increase in tooth decay in young children. By 2003, the number of children with no experience of tooth cavities was to reach 70%. Instead, in Sutton & Merton PCT, the proportion of children with no tooth cavities stands at 62.7%. The average number of decayed and filled teeth was to be just one. In Sutton & Merton PCT, the number stands at 1.32.

Paul Burstow MP said:

"It is deeply worrying for the parents of our local children that Sutton is turning into a rotten tooth borough. Tooth decay is now one-third higher than the standards set by Ministers and it is time that the PCT took steps to ensure that this target is met.

"If at only five years old, a child's teeth are already showing signs of decay, their chances of reaching adulthood with good healthy teeth are almost non existent.

"Real measures are needed to tackle access to local dentists, and a preventative campaign should be launched by the PCT, to ensure that local children do not grow up with no teeth at all."