TODAY I met with my colleague Angela Rayner and the Royal College of Surgeons to talk about children’s dental hygiene in Oldham.
Statistics show that Oldham has the 3rd highest rate of tooth decay among small children in England. It means that over half of 5 years have tooth decay, compared to the national average of less than a quarter. And the average for Greater Manchester is also higher than the national average.
The North West region has the highest level of tooth decay among 5 year olds.
None of this is good enough for our children.
| Local Authority | % of 5 year olds with tooth decay (2015) |
| Salford | 51.0% |
| Oldham | 50.9% |
| Rochdale | 43.5% |
| Bolton | 40.5% |
| Manchester | 32.7% |
| Wigan | 32.5% |
| Tameside | 31.4% |
| Bury | 26.7% |
| Trafford | 26.4% |
| Stockport | 21.7% |
There are numerous reasons for the regional variation, ranging from social and economic factors, to the availability of water fluoridation and access to the NHS dental care.
But whatever the reason, it’s clear that action needs to be taken. So we’ll be working closely with the Royal College of Surgeons to better understand this issue, and working with schools, parents and the NHS in Oldham to help turn this problem around.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 