§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on trends in the incidence of dental caries among schoolchildren in Barnet since 1979. [10776]
§ Mr. MaloneThe British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry conducts annual surveys of dental caries prevalence in different aged children within a four-yearly cycle comprising those aged five, 12, five, and 14, throughout Great Britain. BASCD began these surveys in 1985–86 in England and Wales. Tables showing the mean number of decayed, missing and filled in the deciduous teeth only of five-year-old children, and in the permanent teeth only of 12 and 14 year old children in Barnet are:
Mean number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) of five-year-olds1 in Barnet since 1985–86 Tables 1985–86 2.08 1987–88 1.70 1989–90 1.90 1991–92 1.70 1993–94 1.91 1 Deciduous teeth only.
Mean number of DMFT of 12-year olds1 in Barnet since 1988–89 Number 1988–89 1.93 1992–93 1.24 1 Permanent teeth only.
Mean number of DMFT of 14-year-olds1 in Barnet since 1990–91 Number 1990–91 1.99 1992–93 1.24 1 Permanent teeth only. No figures for 14-year-olds are available for 1986–87.