More than one in four five-year-olds in West Northamptonshire have experienced tooth decay, new figures reveal
More than one in four five-year-olds in West Northamptonshire have experienced tooth decay, with rates significantly worse than the national average, new figures have revealed.
Research by Practice Radar found that 27.2 per cent of children aged five in West Northamptonshire had experienced tooth decay, compared with 22.4 per cent across England.
The findings also revealed that fewer children locally were seeing an NHS dentist than the national average.
In the year to March 2026, 56.6 per cent of children in West Northamptonshire attended an NHS dentist, compared with 58.9 per cent nationally, the report said.
However, the figures show an improvement in dental attendance locally, rising from 52.5 per cent two years earlier.
West Northamptonshire was identified as one of just 23 council areas in England where childhood tooth decay was significantly worse than the national rate while NHS dental attendance remained below average.
The tooth decay figures come from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities' 2023/24 national survey of five-year-olds.
Children were recorded as having experienced tooth decay if they had at least one tooth that was decayed, filled or removed because of decay.
Meanwhile, the NHS attendance figures were obtained from the NHS Business Services Authority.
The analysis, carried out by Practice Radar, examined childhood tooth decay and NHS dental attendance across every council area in England.
The findings highlight continuing concerns about children's dental health in West Northamptonshire, despite recent improvements in access to NHS dental care.