The cost of UK childhood tooth extractions linked to decay rose sharply in the last financial year, with NHS spending reaching £51.2 million in 2024–25, up from £45.8 million the year before, according to newly released official figures. The data highlights a growing public health challenge, with tooth decay continuing to drive thousands of avoidable hospital admissions among children and young people.
Statistics published by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities show that total NHS spending on hospital tooth extractions for under-20s reached £87.7 million, with decay-related procedures accounting for almost 60% of the overall cost.
Decay-Related Extractions Rise Among Children and Teenagers
The data reveals a significant rise in the number of young people aged zero to 19 undergoing tooth extractions caused by decay. In 2024–25, nearly 34,000 children and teenagers required hospital treatment for decay-related extractions, an 11% increase on the previous year.
Overall, more than 56,000 tooth extractions were carried out in this age group, marking a 14% rise year-on-year. Non-decay-related extractions, often linked to positional anomalies or orthodontic issues, increased by 20%, further adding to pressures on hospital dental services.
Tooth decay accounted for six in 10 childhood extractions, with the highest proportion occurring among children aged five to nine, underlining the scale of preventable oral health problems at primary school age.
Tooth Extractions Continue to Climb After Pandemic Disruption
Hospital tooth extraction rates have risen steadily since 2022, following a sharp decline during the COVID-19 pandemic when access to routine dental care and hospital procedures was severely restricted. Public health experts warn that the rebound reflects delayed treatment, limited access to NHS dentistry, and persistent inequalities in children’s oral health.
Despite targeted prevention schemes introduced in recent years, tooth decay remains the leading cause of hospital admissions among young children in England.
Stark Regional and Social Inequalities Across the UK
Rates of childhood tooth extractions vary widely across the UK. While the national average stood at 251 extractions per 100,000 children, Yorkshire and the Humber recorded more than double that rate, at 504 per 100,000. In contrast, the East Midlands had the lowest rate, with just 73 extractions per 100,000 children.
The data also shows a strong link between deprivation and poor oral health. Children living in the most deprived areas experienced more than three times the rate of hospital tooth extractions compared with those in the least deprived communities.
Dental Leaders Warn of a Preventable Public Health Failure
Eddie Crouch, chair of the British Dental Association, described the figures as a national failure.
He said tooth decay remaining the number one cause of child hospital admissions was “a badge of dishonour for governments past and present”, adding that dentists are unable to intervene early when access to care is limited.
Calls for Prevention and Equal Access to Care
Jo Cooper, UK and Ireland general manager at Haleon, said the figures were a reminder that many children continue to suffer from preventable oral health conditions, stressing that prevention must start early and be supported at family level.
Charlotte Eckhardt, dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, raised concerns about widening regional disparities.
She said no child should be hospitalised for a disease that is “almost entirely preventable”, warning that rising admission rates mean more pain, missed school days and avoidable trauma for children.
Eckhardt added that if the government is to meet its goal of transforming NHS dentistry by 2035, it must ensure every child can access dental care when needed, regardless of where they live.
Data Gaps Highlighted by Paediatric Dentistry Experts
However, the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry cautioned that the hospital episode statistics do not capture the full picture of children’s dental care.
BSPD president Oosh Devalia said significant activity takes place within community dental services that is often not reflected in hospital data, urging policymakers not to draw overly simplistic conclusions from the figures alone.
She called for sustained focus on proven interventions such as supervised toothbrushing schemes, community water fluoridation, reduced sugar consumption among under-16s, and ensuring every child has a “dental home” with access to a dental check by their first birthday.
Pressure on NHS Dentistry
The findings come amid ongoing concerns about access to NHS dental services, workforce shortages, and growing health inequalities. Experts warn that without consistent preventive programmes and improved access to early dental care, hospital admissions for tooth decay are likely to continue rising, placing further strain on NHS budgets and families alike.