Something to make your teeth chatter!
Published
Are you confident about your child’s dental health? A new survey* from dental negligence specialist Graham Coffey & Co suggests that parents believe 95 per cent of children have ‘excellent’, ‘very good’ or ‘good’ dental health. But government data reveals that only 57 per cent of children visited a dentist in the last 12 months, and that tooth decay is the leading reason for hospital admissions among British five to nine-year-olds.
The survey of 1,500 people also highlighted that only 32 per cent of adults feel no anxiety about going to the dentist, while 32 per cent feel a little stressed, 21 per cent are moderately concerned and 15 per cent are highly anxious.
Graham Coffey and Co’s Stuart Snape says that this anxiety could be the reason why parents are reluctant to take children to the dentist: ‘Having good dental hygiene from an early age can instil good habits for life. Part of this is visiting the dentist every six months as well as practicing good dental hygiene at home. Just because it may not be immediately obvious to a parent that their child has a dental health problem, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t one lurking.;
The first dental visit is recommended by 12 months of age, or within six months of the first tooth coming in. Before your child’s first ‘official’ visit, it’s a good idea to take them along with you when you get a check-up, to familiarise them with the surroundings and the routine. Like adults, children should see the dentist every six months. Some dentists may schedule visits more often, such as every three months. NHS dental care for children is free.
