Request

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I would like to request information held by NHS England.

For the purposes of this request, please define “children” as patients aged under 18.

If held centrally through Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), please provide the following information for England for the most recent five financial years available.

1. Using the HES A&E dataset, the number of Emergency Department attendances by children where the primary diagnosis relates to tooth-related conditions (for example dental caries, dental infection, dental abscess, toothache, or dental trauma). Please provide a yearly breakdown.

2. Using the HES Admitted Patient Care (APC) dataset, the number of children who underwent tooth-related surgical procedures in NHS hospitals. Please provide a yearly breakdown.

3. Of the procedures identified in Question 2, please indicate how many were carried out under general anaesthetic.

4. If available, please provide an age breakdown of the children who underwent tooth-related surgical procedures using the following bands:

o 0–5

o 6–12

o 13–17

5. The total number of hospital admissions involving children where the primary diagnosis was dental caries (ICD-10 code K02) in each of the past five financial years. Please provide a yearly breakdown.

Where possible, please identify diagnoses using relevant ICD-10 codes and procedures using OPCS-4 procedure codes relating to dental extractions or other tooth-related oral surgery.

If the exact categories requested are not available, please provide the closest equivalent information held.

If responding to this request would exceed the cost limit under Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act, I would be grateful if you could advise how the request might be refined.

Response

I am writing to advise you that following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA.

Advice and assistance

Having reviewed your request, I believe that it is possible that NHS England or each Integrated Care Board (ICB) may hold some or all of the information you require. They can be contacted at:

Integrated Care Board (ICB)

You can find each local ICB at: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/find-your-local-integrated-care-board/

NHS England

NHS England

PO Box 16738

Redditch

B97 9PT

Telephone 0300 311 22 33

Email: england.contactus@nhs.net

Web http://www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/foi/

Following the announcement on 13 March 2025 regarding the disbanding of NHS England, please be assured that at this time they can be contacted for information as normal.