​According to a report, almost three times as many children require teeth removal in hospital in Swindon compared to other areas in the south-west.

The study revealed that “1,045 children and young people per 100,000 of Swindon's population need extractions compared to just 376 in the rest of the region.”

Caroline Gaulton, head of public health, children, and young people at Swindon Borough Council, created the report. She discovered that many of those affected came from deprived regions and from families with Asian heritage.

Speaking to the BBC, Caroline stated, “The pain can affect a child’s sleep and their attendance at school and their ability to learn and socialise with other children.

“This is a particular problem here and the oral health of children and young people has been made a priority for public health.

"The majority of these occur under general anaesthetic, which poses additional health risks.”

Swindon Borough Council has stated that it has started to make improvements by implementing a “specialist one-year position in the public health team to lead on oral health intervention.”

The Local Democracy Reporting Service also said it has introduced a First Dental Steps programme, with health visitors offering health advice to parents at the one-year health check for children.

Caroline added that the nursing team had also received refresher training on oral health guidance.

Staff from the local council have gone to local schools to teach children how to brush their teeth effectively, with schools in the most deprived areas being the priority, according to Caroline.

Caroline mentioned that there had been some reluctance from schools to take on the added responsibility.

Caroline added, "We have been experiencing a little bit of pushback. Sixty per cent of schools have signed up, but 40 per cent have not, and I think they feel that this is yet another thing they’re being asked to do, and it’s properly a parent’s job.”

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