2009 Dental Health Survey Findings Revealed

Thu, 09 Dec 2010

Nearly 40 per cent o people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland fail to have their teeth checked by a dentist on a regular basis, according to new figures released by the NHS Information Centre.

A survey of more than 11,000 people across the three countries found that while 61 per cent visit the dentist frequently, 10 per cent only make occasional trips to the dentist and a further 27 per cent only book appointments when they have problems with their teeth .

In addition, 2 per cent of people of respondents with at least one natural tooth admitted to never visiting the dentist for an oral health check-up.

The report also found that more adults in Wales suffer from dental problems than in England, despite seeing a dentist more often.

A greater percentage of Welsh adults have no natural teeth and higher levels of tooth decay, with 20 per cent of the population unable to eat comfortably because of dental problems, compared with 14 per cent in England.

The figures are based on the 2009 dental health survey, which offers a snapshot of oral health over the past 10 years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Tim Straughan, chief executive of the NHS Information Centre, said: "This survey shows dental health has improved in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the condition of people's teeth overall has got much better since this survey was first carried out (in 1968)."

"However it does show there is variation in dental health between England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as in the percentage of our populations who see a dentist regularly.
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