The United Kingdom extracted 33,976 children's teeth due to caries in hospital settings during 2025, equating to one extraction every 15 minutes. This represents an 11% increase compared to 2024 figures, marking a worsening trend in preventable dental disease among young patients.

Regional disparities and impact on children

Caries extractions show stark geographic variation across the UK. Children and young people in the most deprived communities experienced extraction rates more than three times higher than those in the most affluent areas. Yorkshire and Humber recorded the highest number of caries-related extractions for the fourth consecutive year. The condition has now surpassed acute sore throat as the leading cause of hospital admission for children aged 5 to 9 years in England.

Prevention failure and clinical concerns

Dr Charlotte Eckhardt, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, stated that no child should require hospital admission for a disease that is almost entirely preventable. In 2025, caries caused unnecessary pain, missed school days, and avoidable hospital stays at rates higher than the previous year. The trend demands reversal through improved prevention strategies and earlier intervention.