Children’s GA Extractions A ‘Postcode Lottery’
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- Published: Tuesday, 25 July 2023 07:38
- Written by Guy Tuggle
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Whilst few things are more miserable for a young child than being admitted to hospital for dental extractions more unbearable is having to live with excruciating toothache because of long waiting lists for the necessary extraction(s).
For many children, the wait exceeds a year whilst in some areas, families are facing an eighteen month wait.
Data obtained by the Liberal Democrats from NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) and shared with the BBC revealed that as the champagne corks popped to welcome in 2023, more than 12,000 under-18s were on community dental service (CDS) lists.
Winners and Losers
According to the BBC’s analysis of the statistics, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust tops the list for long waits with children on average facing an eighty weeks wait for treatment under general anaesthetic.
Children and teenagers in Merseyside fare much better. Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust averages a three weeks wait.
The ‘scandal’ of so many children being admitted to hospital for the extraction of some or all of their teeth under general anaesthetic has received extensive coverage. Over 42,000 teeth were extracted from under 19s in 2021-22. The cost to the NHS of this mainly avoidable work was an estimated £81M.
Yorkshire and the Humber reported the highest rate of decay-related extractions scoring 378 per 100,000. Neighbouring East Midlands enjoyed the lowest result of 71 per 100,000.
The link between social and economic deprivation and tooth decay is well proven and the impact of the disease can be devastating.
Children who can’t sleep at night struggle to learn during the day. Eating is compromised. Teachers are distracted from their work because they are having to comfort crying children. Parents too suffer from disturbed sleep and those with sufficient conscience to feel responsible for their child’s plight endure feelings of guilt.
As MPs and the NHS finalise their imminent ‘reform’ of the dental service, putting the funding and contract model in place to address this postcode lottery of waiting lists must be the number one priority.
Prevention.
Surely the number one priority is prevention? It is a disgraceful situation and these children need treating. But caries is almost entirely preventable. Aside from the effects on the children, their families etc, the risk factors are common to obesity, diabetes and other major diseases.You need to be logged in to leave comments.
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