Dr tooth fairy1/23/2024 ![]() ![]() They may require expensive orthodontic work on adult teeth, and their confidence suffers. "Persistent orthodontic problems, as well as social issues for children can occur as a result. "Extractions of decayed teeth in young children occur on a day to day basis," says Dr Rob Beaglehole, who has performed many such surgeries on children. The report discusses one child who, alarmingly, had to have all her teeth removed under general anaesthetic at the age of four. "The cost of this in public healthcare and to taxpayers is huge." "Over the 2015-2016 year, 29,000 children under the age of 12 had to have one or more teeth removed as a result of severe cavities and infection, and 6600 of those ended up at hospital. "Dental caries - otherwise known as tooth decay - is the most common chronic disease seen in children and one of the leading causes of hospital admissions for New Zealand children," says author Prathibha Sural. The report is co-authored by oral health researcher Prathibha Sural and public health specialist Dr Rob Beaglehole, and has been prepared with the aim of stimulating action on this major, preventable public health issue. Chronic poor physical health in children can lead to problems lasting into adulthood, and poor dental health is no exception to the rule.Ĭhild Poverty Action Group (CPAG) has released a new report this morning, Too soon for the tooth fairy: the implications of child poverty for oral health, which summarises current knowledge about the prevalence of poor oral health among children in Aotearoa-New Zealand. Every year, New Zealand hospitals see over 40,000 admissions for poverty-related and potentially preventable health issues in children. ![]()
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