To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children have had impacted third molars removed in each year since 1997; and how many showed signs of pathology in their teeth.
The number of children who have had impacted third molars removed in England in 1997–98 to 2002–03 is shown in the table. Children are defined as being under 18 years of age. Records of the pathology of the teeth prior to extraction are recorded as part of the patient's clinical notes, but are not collected centrally. Nevertheless, the table provides encouraging evidence of progress on implementation of the recommendations that the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) made in 2000 that the routine prophylactic removal of pathology-free wisdom teeth should be replaced by standard routine follow-up.
Total | General Dental Service(81) | Personal Dental Service(81) | Hospital Dental Services(82) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1997–98 | (83)3,700 | (83)2,100 | 0 | 1,544 |
1998–99 | 3,562 | 1,861 | 10 | 1,691 |
1999–2000 | 2,685 | 1,356 | 9 | 1,320 |
2000–01 | 1,842 | 891 | 6 | 945 |
2001–02 | 1,516 | 724 | 5 | 787 |
2002–03 | n/a | 684 | 5 | n/a |
n/a = data not available.
(81) Based on dental treatment claims for payment.
(82) Number of admissions for surgical removal of impacted third molar based on finished consultant episodes. Patients may have more than one admission within a year.
(83) Estimated using figures for number of teeth extracted in the general dental service.
Sources:
(84) Dental Practice Board.
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