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News
Hospital admissions for tooth decay among 5–9-year-olds in England have risen again, with nearly 22,000 children admitted in 2025/26. Dental leaders are calling it an "entirely avoidable public health failure," pointing to poor NHS dental access as a key driver. Two in five children didn't see an NHS dentist last year, and experts are urging the government to urgently reform the NHS dental contract.
Hospital admissions for tooth decay among young children in England are climbing again — and dental experts aren't mincing words. The Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of England has labeled the trend an "entirely avoidable public health failure," noting that thousands of children are ending up in hospital for a condition that is largely preventable with routine dental care and good oral hygiene habits.
The data paints a troubling picture of access gaps across the NHS dental system. Only around 60% of England's child population saw an NHS dentist in 2025/26, leaving two in five children without a dental visit. Dental leaders are calling on the government to follow through on its commitment to reform the NHS dental contract, with a focus on prevention, improved patient access, and making NHS dentistry a more viable career for practitioners.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Tooth decay is the leading cause of hospital admissions in young children in England — and it's preventable. The rising numbers signal a systemic failure in dental access that is costing both children their health and taxpayers significant resources. Without meaningful NHS dental reform, experts warn the cycle will continue.
