A report has revealed that there is a “shocking” number of children with tooth decay in Wiltshire.

As of January 2024, the hospital admission rate for tooth decay in 0 to 19-year-olds in the county was 1,036.7 per 100,000.

The report describes this number as “much higher” than Bath & North East Somerset (1,012.4 per 100,000) and Swindon (1,013.6 per 100,000).

It also notes that the most recent data revealed that 15.5 per cent of 5-year-olds in Wiltshire have “visually obvious” dental decay.

This comes as many dental practices across the country are no longer accepting NHS patients.

As of June 2023, 44.8 per cent of children in Wiltshire had not accessed dental services in the 12 months prior, which was a 13 per cent increase on the year before.

Wiltshire Council's health select committee.Wiltshire Council's health select committee. (Image: Wiltshire Council)

At the health select committee meeting on Wednesday, June 12, Cllr Gordon King commented upon the report.

He said: “The numbers of young children showing early dental decay is shocking really, so education, treatment and prevention, I think, are key subjects here.”

Cllr Johnny Kidney agreed that the rates were “very alarming.”

The report states that the ICB and Wiltshire Public Health team are working to improve dental care access.

It concludes: “Further work is needed in Wiltshire, but progress is being made to improve these outcomes.”