Oral health (health and wellbeing needs in South Tyneside)
Level of need
Children's oral health
- The proportion of five year olds free from dental decay is the only dental indicator in the key Public Health Outcomes Framework presented by Public Health England. 'dmft' is the number of 'decayed, missing and filled teeth'. This therefore includes teeth both with active, untreated decay (often seen as orange or brown 'holes' in the teeth), and teeth which have been treated by a dentist.
- The most recent dmft for three and 12 year olds can be found on Table 1 of the Appendices.
- The prevalence of decay is not equal across South Tyneside. Variation both geographically and by deprivation can be found in Figures 2 & 3 of the Appendices.
Oral cancer
- South Tyneside has the highest oral cancer registrations in the North East (Age standardised rates per 100,000 of the population).
- Oral cancer generally develops later in life, and can develop long after known risk factors are stopped. Based on a range of other indicators South Tyneside has a high proportion of people who smoke and drink alcohol beyond low risk levels which increases the risk of cancer of the mouth and throat.
- Oral cancer registrations 2012 - 2014 (Age standardised rates per 100,000 of the population) can be found in Table 2 of the Appendices.
