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Published: Thursday, 19 March 2015 09:49

Written by News Editor

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More than a third (35 per cent) of 12-year-olds and 28 per cent of 15-year-olds say they have been embarrassed to smile or laugh due to how they felt about the condition of their teeth during the past three months, Children's Dental Health (CDH) Survey 2013 shows. The survey is published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) and provides information on the dental health of children in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Children's Dental Health (CDH) Survey 2013 shows reductions in the proportions of 12 and 15-year-olds with obvious decay in their adult teeth since the last time the survey was carried out in 2003. However, tooth decay was still found in 34 per cent of 12-year-olds (43 per cent in 2003) and 46 per cent of 15-year-olds (56 per cent in 2003). The survey also finds that around a third (31 per cent) of five-year-olds and 46 per cent of eight-year-olds have decay in their deciduous teeth.

The Children's Dental Health (CDH) Survey 2013 report also shows:

• As in previous CDH surveys, the proportions of children with tooth decay varied between England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For instance, at age 15 in 2013 the proportions with decay in adult teeth were 44 per cent in England (55 per cent in 2003), 63 per cent in Wales (65 per cent in 2003) and 72 per cent in Northern Ireland (78 per cent in 2003).
• Among five-year-olds from more deprived families⁷, 41 per cent had tooth decay, compared to 29 per cent among other five-year-olds from less deprived families. For 15-year-olds from more deprived families, the proportion with tooth decay was 59 per cent, compared to 43 per cent among 15 year olds from more less deprived families.
• Nearly two fifths (38 per cent) of children were classed as having good overall oral health, meaning they had no obvious decay, no tooth surface loss into dentine⁸ and no tartar.
• Parents said that nine in ten children of all ages attend the dentist for a regular check-up.
• Among 12-year-olds, 69 per cent of boys and 85 per cent of girls reported brushing their teeth at least twice a day. Among 15-year-olds, 73 per cent of boys and 89 per cent of girls said this.
• Among 12-year-olds, 16 per cent said they have sugary drinks four or more times a day. Among 15-year-olds, 14 per cent said this⁹.

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