MORE than 17,000 children in Warrington did not visit the dentist last year, according to new figures.

Statistics from NHS Digital showed that 60.1 per cent of kids in the town – 26,848 – did have their annual check-up in 2017.

But 17,814 youngsters in Warrington did not see their dentists during the calendar year, putting them at risk of developing gum disease and tooth decay.

The number of children visiting a dental practice decreased slightly overall year on year.

Meanwhile, NHS Digital’s figures also showed that 56.5 per cent of adults in Warrington have visited their dentist in the past two years.

Mick Armstrong, chairman of the British Dental Association, said: “There is no room for complacency when tooth decay remains the number one reason for hospital admissions in children.

“Getting kids brushing and seeing a dentist shouldn’t be optional extras.

“Sadly, parents are being left without guidance while politicians seem content keeping costs down and patients away.

“In Wales and Scotland, we’re seeing record breaking improvement in decay, back up by public information and outreach in schools and nurseries – England needs more than token efforts.

“Getting kids in the habit of attending to key to lifelong oral health and under 18s should be seeing their dentist at least every 12 months.”

NHS England says it is encouraging residents to take their kids to the dentists for regular check-ups and pointed to its recently launched Dental Starting Well programme.

Dr Kieran Murphy, medical director for NHS England in Cheshire and Merseyside, said: “Over the coming year, we will be working with our local dental practices to increase the uptake of dental check-ups for all young children, together with information and advice for parents on how to prevent their children developing tooth decay.”