17 Nov 2023 — Two years after the UK soft drinks sugar tax came into force, incident rates of child hospital admissions for tooth extraction due to dental caries fell by 12.1%. Researchers found these reductions for children living in most areas, regardless of socioeconomic status.
The study mainly found lower hospital admissions in children up to four (-28.6%) and children aged 5-9 (-5.5%). According to the researchers, children aged 5-9 will most likely be admitted for tooth extractions under general anesthesia. Incidence rates were unchanged in older age groups — between ten and 18 years old.