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Oral health

Tooth decay is preventable, yet it remains the most common oral disease affecting children and young people in England and the primary reason for hospital admission in children ages 5-9. Poor oral health impacts more than just a child’s physical health. Dental pain can lead to difficulties eating, sleeping, socialising, and even smiling, and negatively impacts a child’s wellbeing. There are also inequalities in dental health such that children in our most deprived communities are both the most affected by decay and also the least likely to access dental services.

The level of tooth decay among children in Southwark is less than the national and London average, with about one in six 5-year-olds experiencing decay compared to one in four in London and England. However, this still equates to about 660 5-year-olds affected by a preventable condition. Despite lower levels of decay, Southwark has the second highest rate of hospital admissions for caries in children aged under 19 among all London local authorities. Effective, coordinated, and consistent oral health promotion can help to prevent the development of dental decay and reduce incidences of decay-related hospital admissions.

Southwark Public Health together with key partners and stakeholders has produced many documents identifying the local population's needs. Please note that this list will be updated as and when the new information becomes available.

Southwark JSNA reports

• Oral Health JSNA 2018 ^{(PDF, 1.5mb)}

Other local plans and strategies

Publications upcoming

External resources

• OHID, Oral Health: Southwark Profile
• OHID (2017) Health Matters: child dental health
• OHID (2017) Delivering better oral health: an evidence-based toolkit for prevention
• OHID (2016). Children’s Oral Health Improvement Programme Board Action Plan 2016-2020
• OHID (2014). Local authorities improving oral health: commissioning better oral health for children and young people

Page last updated: 02 January 2024