Across the UK, 22 percent of five-year-olds have tooth decay. Nearly half of adults deal with some form of gum disease. These aren't just numbers-they're problems that can be stopped. That was the main message at Clover Dental & Implant Centre's first open day in North Baddesley.
According to NHS data, dental caries remains the leading cause of hospital admissions among young children in England, with up to 1 in 5 five-year-olds showing signs of decay.
This wasn't a dry lecture. The Beadles Ukulele Band played, there were games, face painting, and a cake sale. The atmosphere was friendly and broke down the usual barriers between dentists and the public. Local councillor Sally Yalden came to show her support. Dr Khan said the team felt "honoured" by her visit.
Reanne Newton, who works at the front desk, summed up the mood: "It's all really good, a really positive day. It's making people aware and it's really important in regards to preventing problems before they occur." Prevention was the main focus. Dr Khan pointed out that spotting oral health problems early can save money and stop them from turning into something worse.
Recent NHS figures show that in Lancashire and South Cumbria, 65.1% of children under 18 were seen by a dentist in 2025/26-seven percentage points higher than the national average. Regional health authorities highlight that such check-up rates are a key indicator of prevention and early detection, not just treatment.
Clover Dental's approach stands out for making dentists more approachable. The team wants people to feel comfortable asking questions and getting advice. By breaking down the fear that keeps many away, the practice is helping with today's problems and building habits that prevent future ones. This is the direction community dentistry needs to go if it wants to stop preventable disease and help patients before things get serious.
The national picture is still tough. NHS and public health leaders keep saying that most childhood tooth decay can be stopped with early action and local prevention. When people wait too long for treatment, care gets more complicated and expensive. That's why events like Clover Dental's open day matter-they raise awareness and help people build better oral health habits early.
At the same time, demand for NHS dental care is higher than what's available. Recent reports from parliament and experts say more than 13 million people in England need dental care they aren't getting. Local prevention efforts are now even more important to ease the pressure on the health system and improve care for both kids and adults.
Even with these challenges, most adults are happy with their dental care. The latest Office for National Statistics health survey found that 89.9% of adults who recently used NHS dentistry were satisfied. Among private dental patients, satisfaction was even higher at 93.5%. These numbers show both the strengths and the ongoing strain in the UK dental system as it tries to balance access, prevention, and quality.ONS Health Insight Survey
