Who is responsible for taking care of children’s teeth?

Two of my children had NHS orthodontic work done. Teeth removed and braces (train track type) fitted to upper and lower teeth. I would hope it’s still available on the NHS. In fact it is, my grandson has just had teeth removed in preparation for braces being fitted. On the NHS.

Why did you bother paying for your son’s teeth to be made perfect if it doesn’t matter *Germanshepherdsmum?

Teeth are an important part of your appearance, and if you have, for example, buck teeth which everybody makes fun of, because it’s purely cosmetic, you are saying a child should not be treated by the NHS. That’s harder line than the current government.

My teeth are wonky too - I am a Class2 Div2!!! - which also means I have high cheekbones. And, that is what attracted my husband to me.

But, there are obviously times when orthodontic work is advisable for function as well as the aesthetics.

And?
I had the same done when I was a child.

I had a couple of extra teeth removed, and wore a brace to straighten up the others, as did a lot of children.

It's not a big deal, just normal part of having a child.

Of course there are some who won't or can't do that, but I wouldnt think it's a huge issue.

I need to find out, I guess.

It’s the same sad fact about health, including dental health that those living in deprived areas have the dice stacked against them. Statistically there is an increase in dental decay, along with many other, often associated heath problems such as heart disease.

There are many reasons for this. Poor access to NHS dentists, preventive care and good dental hygiene. Poor diet and lack of water fluoridation to name some major concerns.

I believe it is the responsibility of the Local Authority to provide adequate services for children’s dentistry, but since Austerity bit they have no money. Sadly we do not prioritise our children’s health and well being in what is a relatively rich country.

Casdon

Why did you bother paying for your son’s teeth to be made perfect if it doesn’t matter *Germanshepherdsmum?

Teeth are an important part of your appearance, and if you have, for example, buck teeth which everybody makes fun of, because it’s purely cosmetic, you are saying a child should not be treated by the NHS. That’s harder line than the current government.

I didn’t say it didn’t matter. I said that my less than perfect smile has not affected my life. I wanted to do the best I could for my son and that included paying for his orthodontic work. I couldn’t afford a private education for him at that time but I could afford some dental work.

Goodness me - another polarised thread.

My belief is that countries that tax in order to provide good public services are shown to have better outcomes for the majority.
Our increasingly divided country shows poorer outcomes for the vulnerable and indeed for the majority. We have high levels of obesity, substance misuse, mental health problems etc. I live in hope that a more compassionate society can be established.
I was born in 1949 - after ww2 our govt managed to establish the nhs, improve education and build housing. I know society is différent but let’s build hope

I agree orthodontic work has nothing to do with basic toothcare, but it can affect the teeth and lead to later need for dental treatment, but if a parent cannot source an NHS dentist, whether they have taught their children excellent dental care or not, they are still going to be unable to source the dental treatment their child needs.

I had extensive orthodontic treatment myself, I was referred to the London Dental Hospital because of the complexities of my problems and my DS also needed orthodontic treatment, it was available without anyone even needing to think about it, the dentist just referred us to an appropriately qualified NHS orthodontist, who in my case sent me further up the expertise tree.

My grandson missed out on having a NHS brace fitted because of lockdown and the ended up having to pay £4,000 to have it done privately.

I was born just after the war so had very little access to sweets or sugary drinks, but by the time I was 5 I had to have several teeth out and my teeth have been a problem ever since. My mother had a horrendous experience with an army dentist during the war and never went to a dentist again, She died at 79 with a full set of teeth. Unfortunately I hadn't inherited them. If you can get your children to a dentist they can give a lot of advice about caring for their teeth. When I was a child you didn't go to a dentist unless there was already a problem.

MayBee70

My grandson missed out on having a NHS brace fitted because of lockdown and the ended up having to pay £4,000 to have it done privately.

Woowee!
That's a pretty penny!

NHS orthodontics is still available for those who really need it.

Deedaa

I was born just after the war so had very little access to sweets or sugary drinks, but by the time I was 5 I had to have several teeth out and my teeth have been a problem ever since. My mother had a horrendous experience with an army dentist during the war and never went to a dentist again, She died at 79 with a full set of teeth. Unfortunately I hadn't inherited them. If you can get your children to a dentist they can give a lot of advice about caring for their teeth. When I was a child you didn't go to a dentist unless there was already a problem.

I wasn’t born long after you - 1951 - and I had an ex army dentist who was an absolute sadist. However I had four-monthly check ups and eventually six-monthly. It certainly wasn’t the case that you didn’t go to the dentist unless there was a problem.

There are some very strong opinions on this thread, and, from some, a very simplistic view of dental health.
Quoting our own, narrow experiences does little to throw light on the causes of dental disease in adults or children.
The three main contributory factors are diet, oral hygiene and genetics.
But, even these can be complicated.
Eg: Diet - most people are unaware that soya milk is considerably more cariogenic (likely to cause tooth decay) than cows milk. Also, the current fad for "healthy foods" can be confusing, so a lot of parents may think a fruit smoothie is a good snack. Not everyone has the ability or knowledge to understand ingredients on packaging.
Oral hygiene - good brushing technique is not instinctive and instruction, especially for parents who may be lacking confidence, is invaluable. Orthodontic treatment has been mentioned and an overcrowded dentition can increase plaque and make brushing/flossing a lot harder.
Genetics - there is a spectrum of enamel strength, at the most extreme ends enamel can be what is called hypoplastic (very soft) with tooth decay almost inevitable or, in areas of high fluoride in drinking water, high resistance to decay.
Wouldn't it be lovely if we could be sure that any child requiring fillings or extractions had neglectful parents, then we could all sit about polishing our haloes and passing judgement.
To address these awful statistics on general anaesthetics for child dental extractions, we need a properly funded child dental health service delivering support and preventative advice to parents.

Iam64 after ww2 our govt managed to establish the nhs, improve education and build housing. I know society is différent but let’s build hope...

And I'm pretty sure money was tight then!
It's about having the will, I think.

And even this:
in areas of high fluoride in drinking water, high resistance to decay is simplistic Mawmac.

But yes, like all issues, health, education, social conditions - we should be sorting things out in very early childhood if everyone is going to get a proper chance to thrive.

Kate1949

If you can't look after them, don't have them.

If you can't look after them, don't have them

... do you mean teeth or children?

The problem with that 'recommendation' is that the intellectual capacity which enables an adult to recognise that they could not care properly for children is exactly what is lacking in those who really can't. So they wouldn't know that you were pointing the finger at them.

NotSpaghetti

Iam64 after ww2 our govt managed to establish the nhs, improve education and build housing. I know society is différent but let’s build hope...

And I'm pretty sure money was tight then!
It's about having the will, I think.

I think it had far more to do with the provision of health care and education being far cheaper then because, compared with nowadays both were more rudimentary.

Hospitals were places where you went to be operated on, nursed to health and sent home, or if severely ill, nursed until you died. They may be had an xray machine, but not much else. The same with schools. just collections of classrooms, quite a number with loo blocks in the playground, inadequate heating, blackboard and chalk teaching methods. All facing the front and listening to the teacher, from 5.

Look at the schools and teaching in many poor countries still, much like that and as then in Britain or overseas now prodicung many well-educated people.

Yes, that is all true Monica

I agree MOnica - but many of us are also better off financially and better educated. I’d be happy to pay more tax or specific tax towards the NHS

The parents are responsible. It is part of the childrens overall health surely

It's about having the will, I think.

The will to focus funds on public services demands a government truly committed to this - we do not have that.

I think if we were told an extra 1% tax (or whatever) specifically for NHS most would be OK with it.

There are plenty of us who would have been happy for higher taxation if directed at better services all round.

Whatever we do we need to support our genuinely struggling families better.

I absolutely agree with that.

We have just seen Sunak's wealth on the newly published rich list. It is not surprising that he finds it hard to get his head around the fate of those less fortunate.

Luckygirl3

*It's about having the will, I think.*

The will to focus funds on public services demands a government truly committed to this - we do not have that.

Exactly Luckygirl. We live in a more affluent society than after the war, but instead of focussing on universal health and dental care, private treatment for those who can afford it is promoted by allowing the demise of NHS services.

Iam countries that tax in order to provide good public services are shown to have better outcomes for the majority.
Completely true.
Instead we have arrived at the state where children are being admitted to hospital primarily for removal of decayed teeth, and adults are reduced to pulling out their own teeth with pliers and attempting their own fillings.