A report into the state of pre-school children's dental health across the South East has found wide variations in dental health in the region. Published by the South East Public Health Observatory (SEPHO), the report looked at dental health in five-year-olds by analysing data from Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs) across the South East between 1995 and 2002. It found that dental health in young children had improved across the South East since 1995, and was above the national average but that there were wide variations between different areas, with some groups of children suffering significant levels of damaged teeth.

Kent and Medway SHA had the best record on dental health and met the 2003 national target for oral health in five-year-olds. The SHA had the lowest average number of decayed, missing or filled teeth in 2001-2002 while the areas of Thames Valley had the worst.

The report continues to say that although fluoridation of water and other dental products is a proven method of preventing tooth decay, no areas of the South East have fluoridated water supplies. The report also found a link between wealth and dental health with the less affluent areas of the region having a worse record on dental health. Further work is taking place to investigate other reasons behind the inequalities highlighted by the report.

Alison Hill, Director of SEPHO said: “This is the biggest study into the state of young children's teeth in the South East in recent years and it provides some valuable information for dentists and parents. Although the region as a whole compares well with others, we are concerned by the poor record on dental health in some parts of the region and by the reversal in improvements across the region in the last three years of the study.”

The study recommended that PCTs should develop dental health strategies, identifying inequalities and develop targeted, preventive services. SEPHO is now working with public health dentists to urge the NHS and Local Authorities to address the issues raised by the report; this includes considering the fluoridation of public water supplies and the implementation of other prevention strategies in the areas with high levels of tooth decay. The report is available online at www.sepho.org.uk or by calling 01865 334714.