K&C Examines Oral Health Crisis: 25% of 5-Year-Olds Have Decay

A worrying number of young children in Kensington and Chelsea are experiencing tooth decay, prompting concern and discussion at a recent council meeting.

According to a report discussed at the Kensington and Chelsea Adult Social Care & Health Select Committee meeting on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, one in four five-year-olds in the borough have tooth decay. This figure, based on 2018-19 data, is slightly above the England average of 23% but below the London average of 27%.

The Adult Social Care & Health Select Committee heard that public health has a statutory responsibility to assess oral health needs, develop strategies, and commission oral health improvement programmes. These programmes must be inclusive and address the needs of all, including ethnically diverse groups, children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), looked after children, and those in care homes.

The report pack included information on current local services, such as the Central London Community Healthcare (CLCH) NHS Trust Oral Health Promotion (OHP) Team, and the Keep Smiling Programme, a supervised toothbrushing and fluoride varnishing initiative in targeted schools. The committee also acknowledged challenges in accessing NHS dentistry, including accessibility, quality of care, and costs.

In other business, the committee discussed community pharmacies and the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) 2025-2028. The draft PNA concludes that Kensington and Chelsea is well-served by pharmacies, with good access to services. However, the closure of the Tesco in-store pharmacy on West Cromwell Road was considered in the analysis. The committee also discussed its work programme for 2025/2026, which includes dentistry and oral health, community pharmacies, budget scrutiny, and the annual report of the Safeguarding Adults' Executive Board.