Responding to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health’s (RCPCH) State of Child Health 2026, Professor Martyn Cobourne, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (FDS) at the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England), said: “The state of children’s oral health across the UK is a serious cause for concern, with this report showing the reality that the place where a child grows up represents a significant determinant on their health.
“The report rightly highlights the impact of poor oral health on children’s lives, and reinforces the need for proven prevention measures, such as supervised toothbrushing. In Wales, the Designed to Smile programme has played an important role in improving children’s oral health, but with progress in reducing dental decay having stalled in recent years, it is vital that the next Welsh Government reviews the programme to understand why and identify how it can be strengthened to deliver better outcomes.
“Alongside these vital steps, fundamental reform of the NHS dental contract and meaningful new investment will be essential to improve access to NHS dental care, support the dental workforce and deliver better oral health outcomes for children.”
The report states that, ‘In 2026 children’s health is in decline. Across nearly all major measures, outcomes have worsened or stagnated across the UK, reversing years of progress, and the impact is felt most sharply in deprived areas and among ethnic minority communities. Explore our analysis and recommendations in 12 indicators of child health.’
