The New Zealand Dental Association is calling on the Government to fix what they say is an underfunded and under-staffed school dental service.
Association President Dr Bill O'Connor, speaking this morning to TVNZ 1's Breakfast, said New Zealand's school dental service was once admired worldwide and copied by many, but sugar is now ruining kids' teeth.
"It's been this bad for many years - it's just getting worse and worse," he said.
The Dental Association says the new system is failing New Zealand children.
"We've got a massive sugar epidemic going on today ... their diets are certainly different to what they used to be in the past.
"The system just can't cope with the decay that's coming through."
Dr O'Connor said he would like to see more schools stop selling or allowing sugary items to be consumed at school, and switch to a water-only policy.
Dr Gerhard Sundborn says sugar causes obesity, while the acidic PH level of the drinks also causes dental issues.
"Kids get used to it really quick," he said.
"Not only the kids benefit, the teachers benefit - they learn better, they function better ... it works really well."
He would also like the Government to step in with a sugar tax, and with more funding for school dental therapists.
"It does need more money because they're losing the therapists that are essential and work in that system," he said.
"There's a national shortage of therapists working in the school system.
"I want to see a system that works back ... this one isn't working," Dr O'Connor said.
"It would be fantastic to be able to stop the decay before it starts."
SHARE ME