Department of Health guidelines now give primary care trusts the optionnot to carry out checks after a study suggested doing so could encouragepeople in areas with high levels of tooth decay to seek treatment.
Researchers at the Oral Health Unit found that only a quarter ofchildren with tooth decay received appropriate treatment, and most ofthose who did were from affluent backgrounds.
Dr Keith Milsom, the unit's operational director, said: "We found nodifferences in increases in tooth decay level ... in children who didand didn't receive screening."
The new guidance says money would be better spent on reducing waitingtimes for special needs groups.
- www.dh.gov.uk.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
