MPs quiz dentists about child oral health
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- Published: Wednesday, 25 February 2015 07:15
- Written by News Editor
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The Commons Health Committee has held a one off evidence session on children’s oral health. They were concerned about dental decay being the main cause of admission to hospital for children aged 5-9 and the high level of decay among some children. Only three MPs were present and the profession was represented by the CDO and dental head of Public Health England as well as two paediatric specialists.
The session was chaired by Dr Sarah Wollaston MP and those giving evidence were:
- Dr Barry Cockcroft CBE, Chief Dental Officer for England, NHS England
- Peter Howitt, Deputy Director, Legislation and Policy Unit, NHS England
- Dr Sandra White, Director of Dental Public Health, Public Health England
- Professor Nigel Hunt, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons
- Stephen Fayle, Consultant and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer in Paediatric Dentistry, Leeds Dental Institute
The CDO opened the session by giving a short presentation on the state of UK child oral health. Dr Sandra White talked about the regional differences and where the highest levels of decay were concentrated.
Stephen Fayle outlined the problems of specialist care with fewer specialists and children having to wait long times for appointments.
The message put across by several on the profession’s side was prevention was the key but that there was little incentive to do this, or treat high needs patients, within the GDS contract. The positive advantages of fluoridation were stressed.
One MP told the Department of Health and Public Health England that they were falling down on the job of caring for children’s oral health. Although many of the questions concerned general dental practice there were no GDPs there to answer the MPs’ questions.
Parliamentary Meeting
Is it me being a little unfair but this seems to be a complete waste of time?The specialists are going to say there aren't enough of them. Is this an issue? - don't necessarily need specialists to fill children teeth, just need the parents to bring the kids into practice. Ideally much earlier in the disease process, preferably before it starts.
Barry gives the DoH party line and, surprise, surprise: Fluoride gets a star billing - Yawn.
The only bit that seems relevant is that prevention isn't being done.
There were no coalface GDPs or DCPs to say their piece. I'd love to point out just how excluded hygienists and therapists, to a lesser extent, are from NHS general practice on caries prevention as well as perio prevention.
This meeting doesn't seem to be the way to get the full story on what's going on.... or have I missed something?
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