Around two in five children in England have not visited their dentist in the past year, shocking NHS figures revealed today.
Under 18s are urged to have a check-up at least once a year, to prevent tooth decay by picking it up before they rot away.
But NHS Digital figures released today and branded ‘unacceptable’ show that just 41.4 per cent made the trip last year.
NHS Digital data also showed only half of adults saw a dentist in the past two years, which is how often they should be checked-up.
Around two in five children in England have not visited their dentist in the past year (stock)
Professor Michael Escudier, dean of the Royal College of Surgeons’ Faculty of Dental Surgery, slammed the latest figures.
He said: ‘Frankly, it is unacceptable that more than two in five children did not see an NHS dentist in the last year.
‘Today’s figures serve as a reminder that there is still a long way to go in improving children’s oral health in the England.’
The data also delved into the rates of adults and children visiting their dentist across England.
Regional dentist attendance rates for children: The North topped the charts for the highest attendance rates for children, with 63.4 per cent having a visited a dentist in the past 12 months. London finished bottom of the pile, with just 49.8 per cent having done so
The North topped the charts for the highest attendance rates for both age groups, according to NHS Digital figures.
Some 56.1 per cent of adults in the region visited their dentist over the past two years, and 63.4 per cent of children in the past 12 months.
In comparison, London finished bottom of the pile for both age groups.
Just 44.3 per cent of adults in the capital saw their dentist over the past two years, and 49.8 per cent of children in the past 12 months.
The figures also revealed a stark divide between the ages of children and how often they visit the dentist.
Only a third (34.1 per cent) of toddlers up to the age of four across England saw their dentist in the past year.
By contrast, 60.3 per cent of 15 to 17 year olds, 73.7 per cent of 10 to 14 year olds and 68.5 per cent of five to nine year olds made the trip.
Parents are urged to take their children to see the dentist as soon as their first teeth appear.
Children should then see a dentist at least once every year so that preventable problems like tooth decay can be spotted early.
Check-ups are free on the NHS for under 18s. But privately, the 10-minute appointments can cost in the region of £30.
Professor Escudier added: ‘It’s so important that we get children along to the dentist from a young age.
‘Dental check-ups in early years are as much about getting children comfortable in a dental environment as they are about checking teeth.’
‘Many adults are reluctant to visit the dentist because as children they first visited the dentist after, rather than before, problems emerged.’
More than 60,000 children in England had teeth extracted in hospital last year because of tooth decay, figures revealed in April.
Dentists at the time called for kids to be given lessons in how to brush their teeth, which can stop teeth from rotting away.