Tim Farron, MP for Westmoreland and Furness, has endorsed a South Cumbria dental practice’s plan to help address the child oral health crisis.

The Crossbank Dental Care team is headed by husband and wife duo Neil Cooper, principal dentist, and Bex Cooper, director. The team is using their experience to try and reduce issues like decay and tooth loss, issues which often start in childhood.

Bex said, “Rising every year, tooth decay and extractions are now the most common reason for hospital admission in children. This is very concerning, but perhaps not surprising, when NHS statistics show children’s access to NHS dental care is just 50.4 per cent nationally, and the dental workforce is predicted to shrink by 35 per cent by 2030. As a rural county, Cumbria’s challenges are even worse, with a 25 per cent dentist vacancy rate, and children’s NHS dental access at just 45.8 per cent.

“It is unfair to condemn our children to debilitating disease due to lack of access to oral hygiene education and treatment. Crossbank Dental Care has a whole team dedicated to restoring people’s teeth, smiles and confidence, which is very rewarding – but how much better to prevent these issues in the first place?”

In response to the dental crisis, Crossbank Dental Care has invested in a specialised ‘Oral Health Educator Certification’ for their dental nurses. The practice’s ‘Tooth Fairy’ community outreach project will visit playgroups, nurseries, and primary schools to provide accessible education on early years’ oral health, preventative care, and early intervention.

Tim has praised Crossbank Dental Care’s initiative and the ‘Tooth Fairy’ project. He commented, “Children's oral health is declining quickly, especially in deprived areas, and change is urgently needed. To address this issue at a national scale, government action is needed.”

Bex added, “With local authority cuts contributing to a 22 per cent decrease in community health education funding, it’s time for dental teams to use our experience and knowledge to help stop the rot. It was great to meet with Tim and see him taking our concerns just as seriously.”

“Since our meeting, Tim has already confirmed he has written to the secretary of state for education and the secretary of state for health and social care to urge distribution of oral health information to children and young parents, which is fantastic support.

“We want to open up empathetic, supportive dialogue with everyone: children, parents, schools and communities. If any parents or educators want to talk to us about a visit from the Tooth Fairy, or any aspect of dental care, we’d love to chat. Just give us a call!”

For more information visit www.crossbankdental.co.uk

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