Wirral health chiefs urged to restart dental screening as borough records above average cases of tooth decay
Aug 19 2008 By Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post
WIRRAL’S health chiefs faced calls last night to bring back dental screening to primary schools, after it was revealed the borough has higher than average cases of tooth decay.
According to data from the Association of Public Health Observatories (APHO) Wirral children are above the national average for dental problems.
On average, a child in England has 1.5 teeth decayed, filled or extracted by the time they reach five years old.
But, in Wirral, the figure is 1.7 teeth, according to the APHO. Jeff Clarke, the man Conservatives hope will unseat Ben Chapman, the current MP for Wirral South, is now urging the Primary Care Trust (PCT) to reintroduce a dental screening programme for all primary-age children in school, after it was revealed the service has been axed by the PCT.
Mr Clarke made his calls for increased screening after Wirral’s PCT confirmed, in response to questions by the Conservatives, that they no longer provide a dental screening programme for all six to nine- year-olds, but instead now limits that service to special schools only.
Mr Clarke said: "Local mums and dads may not be aware that the Primary Care Trust has decided to stop screening many of our children for dental health.
"With higher levels of decaying teeth, fillings and extractions among the borough’s children, there is clearly a need for the Primary Care Trust to work more closely with dentists, schools and parents to tackle this problem. The obligation for the authorities to carry out a dental inspection of school children dates from 1918.
"It was a great way of identifying those children needing treatment, as well as providing advice to parents on the action required.
"Back in January, 2007, the Government removed this obligation from the PCTs.
" I’d like to know why Wirral’s PCT took the opportunity to stop screening all primary age children, and what alternative they are proposing." Last night, a spokesman for Wirral PCT said: "General dental screening of all children ceased following evidence based on research from the Department of Health which indicated that it was not necessary.
"We encourage patients to access general dental practitioners for all the family so that they can receive dental care.
"If they have any difficulties at all they should telephone the Wirral dental hotline team on 643 5455. Screening remains in place on Wirral, for children with special needs."
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