Hospital tooth extractions linked to decay among children and young people have risen by 11%, government figures published this year reveal.
Nationally, hospitals recorded 33,976 tooth-extraction episodes where decay was the primary diagnosis among people aged 0 to 19 during 2024/25.
Decay-related hospital extractions cost the NHS an estimated £51.2 million, up from £45.8 million the year before.
The figures also expose a stark deprivation divide. The decay-related extraction rate was 403 episodes per 100,000 under-20s in the most deprived communities, compared with 121 per 100,000 in the most affluent. This means the rate was more than three times as high.
There were also substantial regional differences. Yorkshire and the Humber recorded England’s highest rate, at 504 episodes per 100,000 people aged 0 to 19. It was followed by the North East at 433 and the North West at 376.
Regional decay-related tooth extractions
| Rank | Region | Decay-related extraction episodes per 100,000 aged 0–19 |
| 1 | Yorkshire and the Humber | 504 |
| 2 | North East | 433 |
| 3 | North West | 376 |
| 4 | London | 308 |
| 5 | South West | 231 |
| 6 | West Midlands | 188 |
| 7 | South East | 119 |
| 8 | East of England | 115 |
| 9 | East Midlands | 72 |
Source: Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. Rates represent hospital tooth-extraction episodes where tooth decay was the primary diagnosis.
With Halloween approaching, the figures highlight the wider impact of tooth decay as children prepare to collect sweets while trick-or-treating. Dr Bhavika Parekh, General Dental Surgeon at Smile n Shine, says parents do not need to ban treats, but should pay attention to how frequently they are eaten.
She said: “Halloween treats do not need to be banned. The bigger concern is when sweets collected on one night are eaten frequently over several days or weeks.
“Each sugary snack exposes teeth to another acid attack. Parents can reduce that frequency by agreeing set times for treats, preferably alongside meals, rather than allowing children to graze throughout the day.
“Sticky and chewy sweets can remain in contact with teeth for longer, so these are worth limiting. Children should also drink water and continue brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.”
Dr Bhavika added: “Tooth decay is preventable, and small changes can help protect children’s teeth without taking the enjoyment out of Halloween. With a few sensible choices, children can enjoy their treats without turning one evening of sweets into weeks of frequent snacking.”
