Severe tooth decay higher among special school children, study finds

A survey by Public Health England (PHE) of more than 5,000 children aged between five and 12 found that while fewer children in special schools have tooth decay, they are more likely to have teeth extracted.

It found that four per cent of five-year-old and 20 per cent of 12-year-old special school pupils had a "substantial" amount of plaque, compared with two and 10 per cent respectively for mainstream schools.

It also found that 22 per cent of five-year-old children attending special schools had obvious dental decay.

The North West of England has the highest rates of tooth decay for both age groups.

The survey, undertaken during the 2013/14 academic year, is the first national measure of oral health among special school children.

PHE states that its findings are likely to be an underestimate of the true picture.

“Children attending special schools should be regarded as vulnerable because of the consequences of decay in terms of impact on the general health of the child and the specialist services required to manage it,” the report concludes.

Local authorities have been responsible for providing and commissioning oral health promotion programmes since 1 April 2013 under the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

A Local Government Association report from last year concluded that local authorities have "a key role in the scrutiny of oral health improvement and dental service provision".