West Norfolk Council members want action against children’s tooth decay

A council has called for more action to tackle high rates of tooth decay in children.

A recent study found that Norfolk five-year-olds had the highest prevalence of tooth decay in the East of England, with the King’s Lynn area and West Norfolk area among the worst affected in the country.

Members of West Norfolk Council are calling for the authority to lobby the government to reform the way NHS dental contracts are managed.

NHS Norfolk and Waveney said access to NHS dental services was one of its “immediate concerns”.

Jo Rust, cabinet member for people and communities at West Norfolk Council, said she would table the motion at a full council meeting on Thursday.

She said: “This council notes the appalling situation with NHS dentistry in King’s Lynn and west Norfolk.

“The number of dentists has fallen at a greater rate in west Norfolk when compared to the whole of the east and England, yet our area has greater levels of need, more areas of deprivation and a greater number of older residents.”