Lancashire and South Cumbria dentists seeing higher rates of children than anywhere in England

More children in Lancashire and South Cumbria were seen by an NHS dentist in the past year than anywhere else in England, according to newly-published data.

NHS dental access figures for 2025/26 show that 237,374 under-18s in the region were seen in the previous 12 months, the highest proportion recorded by any integrated care board (ICB) in England – which is 65.1 per cent of the local child population, seven per cent above the national average of 58.1 per cent.

The achievement reflects the work of dental teams and partners to improve access, promote prevention and target support towards children who face barriers to receiving routine care.

Amy Lepiorz, associate director of primary care for NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB, said: “We are delighted to see that more children in our area have accessed an NHS dentist, but not surprised.

“A lot of work has been done specifically to address the issue and providers and partners have been unified in helping us improve.”

A central part of this work in recent years is the ICB’s targeted child dental access scheme. The pathway supports children living in deprived areas across Barrow, Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Burnley, Chorley, Hyndburn, Kendal, Lancaster, Pendle, Preston, Rossendale, West Lancashire and Wyre.

The scheme is available to children aged until their 17th birthday who do not have access to a regular dentist. Referrals can be made using a simple form, while participating practices may accept walk-ins or direct approaches. Children are directed to the nearest participating dental practice based on their home address, and practices then contact parents or carers to arrange an appointment.

The ICB has also led targeted social media campaigns aimed at schools and parents.

Ms Lepiorz added: “Ensuring children can see a dentist regularly is vital to identifying problems early, improving oral health and reducing inequalities.

“Our targeted scheme provides access to NHS dental care for children who do not have a regular dentist, particularly in communities where access and oral health outcomes have historically been poor.

“In parts of Lancashire and South Cumbria children have some of the worse oral health in the country, and the evidence shows us that it is children living in the most deprived areas who are at most risk. Providing dental access for children in those communities, alongside local authority led supervised toothbrushing schemes are evidence-based interventions that will support an improvement in the oral health of those children.

“We will continue to build on this by working with practices, health and care services, schools, voluntary organisations and communities to help children receive care closer to home.”

The new figures also show that the number of adults in Lancashire and South Cumbria accessing NHS dentists over a 24-month period (43.5 per cent) was 3.7 per cent higher than the national average.