ONE in 10 children in the health board region which includes Helensburgh and Lomond have untreated tooth decay, according to new figures.
The data, published by Public Health Scotland, shows a total of 10.4 per cent of primary seven pupils in the NHS Highland area were estimated to have untreated tooth decay, with the figure reaching 11.2 per cent in Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
The figure rises to 18.7 per cent in pupils for the health board with obvious decay in their permanent teeth.
The report also found that 10.2 per cent of Scottish pupils had untreated decay, with Argyll and Bute recording a higher rate at 15.1 per cent.
Ayrshire and Arran had the worst figures in Scotland according to the data.
Nationally, Public Health Scotland reported that almost four in 10 people registered with an NHS dentist haven’t managed to see one in the last two years.
Across Scotland, the findings suggest that long-term progress in children’s dental health has shown little improvement since 2023.
The deprivation gap also remains wide - nationally, 71.4 per cent of children in the most deprived areas were free from decay compared with 89.6 per cent in the least deprived.
Scottish Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said: “The health of our children’s teeth is of the utmost importance.
"It was Scottish Labour that introduced Childsmile - a groundbreaking programme to improve dental health of young people.
“I am clear that the government has taken its eye off the ball and more has to be done to preserve and promote NHS dental provision.
“I regularly speak to local people who tell me how difficult it is to find NHS dentists. This has become more difficult since the Covid pandemic.
“This is clearly taking a toll on the dental health of children in our communities and the Scottish Government has failed to act on concerns.”
NHS Highland has been approached for comment.
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