Childhood tooth decay hospitalisations rise in Public Health Emergency

Is prevention better than cure? Private Dentist in Covent Garden, Holborn & King’s Cross

Tooth decay is now the leading cause of hospital admission among children aged 5–9 in England (reference). In 2024/25, 21,162 children aged 5 to 9 were hospitalised for tooth decay—65% higher than the next most common cause, acute tonsillitis (13,667 admissions)(reference).

Dr Charlotte Eckhardt, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS England), warned these figures represent a “public health emergency.” She said:

“Every child in hospital with tooth decay is proof that prevention has failed. We must act now to spare children needless pain, time off school, and avoidable surgery.”

Book your child’s dental check-up today and let’s prevent decay before it gets serious.

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We were thrilled and incredibly proud that we were London Finalists for Practice of the Year at the prestigious Private Dentistry Awards 2024!

Best Age for a Child’s First Dental Visit

• Ideally by age 1, or when the first tooth appears
• At least by age 2, if earlier was missed
• After that, check-ups every 6–12 months (or more often if risk is higher)

Schedule your child’s first visit now to set them on a healthy path.

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With our Dental Membership Plan, after a new patient consultation, kids go free for routine check-ups if at least one parent is a member of the Dental Spa.

Join our membership and give your child the gift of ongoing preventive care.

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We were thrilled and incredibly proud that we were London Finalists for Practice of the Year at the prestigious Private Dentistry Awards 2024!