The number of teeth extractions carried out on children in hospital fell to a record low in 2020/21 due to procedures being cancelled or delayed, council leaders have warned.
The Local Government Association (LGA) said the number of teeth extractions carried out on children between the ages of 0-19 in 2020/21 dropped by over 55% compared with the previous year.
The data, published by the Office of Health Disparities and analysed by the LGA, also reveals that areas with high levels of deprivation have three times the amount of tooth removals than areas that are more affluent.
Council leaders warn the figures show many children are missing out on vital treatment, with tens of thousands left in pain.
The LGA is calling for a full disclosure on waiting times for these procedures and for the Government to recommit to measures designed to combat obesity and diet related ill health.
Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board said: 'These statistics show a dramatic fall in teeth extractions due to the pandemic, particularly affecting more deprived areas and it is alarming that there may be children whose teeth are being left to rot as hospitals work through a growing backlog of procedures.
'It is deeply worrying that the type of dental treatment required is beyond the capacity of a local dentist, due to the severity of the tooth decay, and as a result has to be done in a hospital.'
