Dental health survey

Poor dental health impacts on individual health and wellbeing. Children who have toothache or who need treatment may have pain, infections and difficulties with eating, sleeping and socialising. Toothache or dental treatment may cause children to be absent from school.

Children are more at risk of developing tooth decay if they:

• eat a poor diet
• brush their teeth less than twice per day with fluoride toothpaste
• live in deprived areas.

How many children aged 5 have filled, missing or decayed teeth?

Every two years, the community dental services are commissioned to survey the teeth of children aged 5 to identify if they have any filled, missing or decayed teeth. Parents are notified and advised to visit their dentist for treatment where needed. The last survey identified levels of decayed missed and filled teeth with an average number in Gravesham district 1.13 - higher than the England average 0.78. The districts of Swale and Maidstone were also higher than the England average at 0.85 and 0.82 respectively.

Promoting oral health

Kent County Council, who commission the survey of 5-year olds, rely on your support and cooperation to enable this survey to take place, making appropriate space available and getting consent forms returned. This may be the first dental check for some children. It also provides an opportunity for schools to promote the care of teeth, part of which is having teeth checked.

You can access free Primary teaching resources, promotional and informative resources for parents and children from Change for Life:

• Science curriculum KS1 and KS2
• Tips and information for families