By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
The rate of tooth decay in children in Nottingham is “significantly worse” than the England average, statistics show.
In 2022, more than a third of five-year-olds in the city had obvious signs of dental decay (34.2 per cent), compared to the England average of 23.7 per cent.
Nottingham City Council said a plan to add fluoride to water in the area will help to tackle the problem.
Statistics also show the average number of teeth affected by dental decay amongst five-year-olds in Nottingham was 1.3 teeth, which is significantly higher than the England average of 0.8 teeth.
Water fluoridation will be discussed at Nottingham City Council’s full council meeting on September 11.
Studies show that fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, strengthens the outer surface of teeth, making them more resistant to decay.
It is added to dental products including many toothpastes, but can also be put into tap water so it reaches whole populations.
The World Health Organisation recommends water fluoridation as an “effective and safe public health intervention”.
The council said it will “ask the Secretary of State for Health and Care to conduct a more detailed exploration of a water fluoridation scheme that benefits Nottingham City residents”.
Nottinghamshire County Council is also campaigning for fluoride to be added to water.
Fluoridated water is currently supplied to 10 per cent of the population in England – including parts of Nottinghamshire such as Mansfield, Bassetlaw, Ashfield and some parts of Newark and Sherwood.
But Nottingham City Council says water fluoridation would “complement other Nottingham City oral health initiatives”.
The authority’s Public Health team is in the process of planning an oral health promotion service.
The service will work with schools, early years settings and their workforce to improve the oral health of children and young people as well as vulnerable adults.
NHS England has also awarded Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County Councils £100,000 for the sole purpose of distributing toothbrushing packs to foodbanks and other community venues.
Council documents stated: “Nottingham City experiences significantly worse dental decay than the England average. This is a persistent health inequality experienced by the Nottingham City population with the proportion of five-year olds with visible signs of tooth decay remaining similar since 2015/16.
“Nottingham City is taking action through the commissioning of an oral health
promotion service and work with NHSE to distribute toothbrushes and toothpaste via food banks.
“However, fluoridation has been shown to be an effective and safe intervention to improve the oral health of a population. It is also suggested to reduce health inequalities when used to compliment targeted action and thus help reduce the number of children suffering tooth decay and avoid tooth extractions.”
