Dentist Attendance Figures Down

South Hams children are being putting at risk of serious tooth decay because their parents are not taking them to the dentist.

A new survey shows the number of Britons heading into the waiting room has dropped markedly over the last year. In fact dental attendance is at an eight year low. The proportion of people who say they attend every six months has dropped from three in five to barely two in five people in just one year (59% to 43%).

The research shows that it is actually the cost of the dental care which is stopping people attending. South Hams dentists say mums and dads must make their children go as most children end up with some decay and if it is not treated it can lead to teeth having to be pulled out.