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New figures by the 2003 British Dental Survey, released by the Office for National Statistics, shows that tooth decay among children is at its lowest recorded level since 1983.
The biggest fall was among 15-year-olds with only 13% suffering from decay, compared with 42% in 1983.
It also showed that teenage boys are more likely to suffer from plaque and gum disease than girls. It found 68% of 15-year-old boys had some plaque, compared to 57% of 15-year-old girls; while 56% of 15-year-old boys had some gingivitis, compared to 48% of girls.
The survey also discovered variations across the UK, with Northern Ireland having the highest level of tooth decay among children.
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