YOUNG people in Barnsley are more likely to be admitted to hospital to remove rotten teeth than almost anywhere else in the country, the latest figures have revealed.

A body representing councils called on the government to address disparities in children’s dental health across the country, and invest in prevention measures where they are needed most.

Figures from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities show under 20 year olds in Barnsley were admitted to hospital around 445 times for a decaying tooth extraction in 2023/24 - up from 315 the year before.

It means there were approximately 795 rotten tooth extractions per 100,000 children and young people in the area, which was among the highest rates in England.

Nationally, there were about 30,587 episodes of decaying tooth extractions for up to 19 year olds last year - equivalent to around 229 per 100,000 children and young people.

The total number of admissions for tooth decay dropped by two per cent last year, while the figures also exposed significant regional and economic disparities across the country.

Meanwhile, children and young people living in the most deprived areas were nearly 3.5 times more likely to be admitted for decaying teeth than those living in the most affluent communities.

The figures also show tooth decay remained the most common reason for hospital admissions in children aged between five and nine years old in 2023/24.

It also accounted for 62 per cent of all tooth extractions for those aged 19 and under.

Dr Nigel Carter, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, said tooth decay has an enormous impact on children’s welfare while being ‘entirely preventable’, and urged the government to implement preventive programmes such as supervised toothbrushing in schools.

Dr Carter added: “Every day we delay, more children suffer unnecessary pain, miss school, and require hospital treatment.

“The government has been given the solutions - now it must deliver them.”