Progress against childhood tooth decay has stalled, according to the State of Child Health 2026 report published by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) on July 14, 2026. The report finds that roughly one in four five-year-olds still shows visible tooth decay, that the decline seen in earlier decades has flattened since 2020, and that the heaviest burden falls on children in the poorest communities. For families everywhere, the message is simple: prevention at home and regular dental visits matter more now, not less.
Tooth decay remains one of the most common and most preventable chronic conditions of childhood. The new report is a reminder that the gains made against it are fragile, and that a routine checkup is still one of the most effective tools a parent has. Below we break down the key figures, how they compare with United States data, and the practical steps that keep small teeth healthy.
What did the State of Child Health 2026 report actually find?
The report found that childhood tooth decay has not improved in recent years and that stark inequalities persist. Its headline oral health figures include:
- About one in four five-year-olds experienced obvious tooth decay in 2024, with England at 22 percent and both Scotland and Wales at 27 percent, according to the RCPCH State of Child Health 2026 report.
- Progress in reducing tooth decay has stalled since the 2020 report, remaining largely unchanged from 2020 to 2024, per the RCPCH 2026 findings.
- In England, 32 percent of children in the most deprived areas had tooth decay in 2024 compared with 14 percent in the least deprived areas, according to the RCPCH State of Child Health 2026 report.
- The estimated cost of tooth extractions for people aged 0 to 19 in England reached 74.8 million pounds in 2024, the report states.
Tooth extraction under general anesthesia also remains a leading cause of hospital admission for young children in the United Kingdom, which underscores how often preventable decay still ends in an operating room.
Why does this matter for families in the United States?
It matters because the same pattern of stubborn, poverty-linked childhood decay shows up in United States data, even though the two countries measure it differently. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2024 Oral Health Surveillance Report, about 11 percent of children aged 2 to 5 had at least one primary tooth with untreated decay. The gap by income is wide: 18.0 percent of children in the high poverty group had untreated decay compared with 6.6 percent in the low poverty group. Among children aged 6 to 8, nearly 18 percent had untreated decay in primary teeth.
In other words, a report written about UK children describes a problem that American families know well. Decay is common, it is preventable, and it tracks closely with access to care. A dependable family or pediatric practice, such as Oak Mountain Pediatric Dentistry in Birmingham, is often the difference between a small filling caught early and a painful extraction later.
How do childhood decay rates compare across regions?
The figures below place the new UK numbers next to United States surveillance data so families can see the scale of the problem side by side.
| Population and year | Measure | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| England, five-year-olds, 2024 | Obvious tooth decay | 22 percent | RCPCH State of Child Health 2026 |
| Scotland, five-year-olds, 2024 | Obvious tooth decay | 27 percent | RCPCH State of Child Health 2026 |
| Wales, five-year-olds, 2024 | Obvious tooth decay | 27 percent | RCPCH State of Child Health 2026 |
| England, most deprived areas, 2024 | Obvious tooth decay | 32 percent | RCPCH State of Child Health 2026 |
| United States, ages 2 to 5 | Untreated decay, primary teeth | About 11 percent | CDC 2024 Oral Health Surveillance Report |
| United States, high poverty group, ages 2 to 5 | Untreated decay, primary teeth | 18.0 percent | CDC 2024 Oral Health Surveillance Report |
The measures are not identical, so the percentages are not a direct one to one comparison. What lines up across every column is the pattern: decay is widespread, and children in lower income households carry far more of it.
What are dental leaders saying about the findings?
Dental leaders have called the results a serious concern and linked them directly to where a child grows up. Professor Martyn Cobourne, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, responded to the report.
"The state of children's oral health across the UK is a serious cause for concern, with this report showing the reality that the place where a child grows up represents a significant determinant on their health."
Professor Cobourne added that meaningful new investment and reform of dental access will be essential to support the workforce and deliver better oral health outcomes for children. The underlying theme, access, is the same challenge United States families face when a local practice has long waitlists or does not accept their coverage.
What can parents do to protect their child's teeth right now?
Parents can cut a child's decay risk with a short list of proven habits, most of which cost little or nothing. The essentials that dentists consistently recommend include:
- Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, supervising younger children so they use a small amount and spit rather than swallow.
- Book a dental checkup about every six months, and schedule a first visit by the first birthday or within six months of the first tooth appearing.
- Ask about dental sealants and in-office fluoride varnish, both of which add protection to the grooves of back teeth where decay often starts.
- Limit sugary drinks and snacks between meals, and swap juice or soda for water where you can.
- If your community water is not fluoridated, ask your dentist whether a prescription-strength toothpaste or other fluoride option is right for your child.
A summer or start of term visit is an easy way to stay on schedule. For families planning ahead, our guide to back to school dental checkups in 2026 walks through timing and what to expect. Access also depends on coverage, and our reporting on how Medicaid dental changes could affect hundreds of thousands of children explains why the safety net matters. To find a practice near you, browse verified pediatric and family clinics such as Hurst Pediatric Dentistry in the Smile Listing directory.
Frequently asked questions
Who published the State of Child Health 2026 report?
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health published the State of Child Health 2026 report, releasing the latest edition on July 14, 2026. It reviews children's health across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with a dedicated section on oral health.
How common is tooth decay in young children?
It is very common. The RCPCH report found about one in four five-year-olds in the United Kingdom had obvious tooth decay in 2024, and the CDC 2024 Oral Health Surveillance Report found about 11 percent of United States children aged 2 to 5 had untreated decay in their primary teeth.
Is childhood tooth decay preventable?
Yes. Tooth decay is largely preventable through daily fluoride toothpaste, limiting sugar, regular dental checkups, and protective measures such as sealants and fluoride varnish. The concern in the 2026 report is not that decay cannot be prevented, but that progress in preventing it has stalled.
At what age should my child first see a dentist?
A first dental visit is recommended by the child's first birthday or within six months of the first tooth appearing. Early visits help spot problems sooner and build a routine of care that lowers the risk of decay later.
Updated July 2026.
