Latest NDIP stats published
The dental health of primary one-aged children in Scotland has shown further signs of improvement according to the latest figures from the National Dental Inspection Programme (NDIP).
However, there is still a gap between children living in the most deprived areas as opposed to those in the least deprived. The latest report states that, in the most deprived communities, 53 per cent of children have no obvious decay – up from 50 per cent in 2012. In the least deprived communities, 83 per cent of children have no obvious decay – up from 81 per cent in 2012.
Overall, the number of children with no obvious decay has risen to 68 per cent, up slightly from 2012 when it was 67 per cent.
The number of decayed teeth continued to fall as well, with a mean of 1.35 teeth in 2012 and 1.27 in 2014.
Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson said: “It is tremendous news that dental health continues to improve among children in Scotland.
“This report shows that 68 per cent of all children of primary one age have no visible sign of tooth decay whatsoever. It also tells us that the number of decayed teeth continues to fall.
“It is encouraging that the biggest improvement in dental health was seen in the most deprived communities, demonstrating that health inequalities continue to fall in this area. We are continuing to
pursue policies that will further contribute to the narrowing of this gap.
“I would like to thank parents, dentists, health visitors, nursery and school staff. They are all playing their part in the improving state of our children’s teeth.”
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