THE tooth fairy could have her work cut out in Bury after figures revealed a decline in the state of people's teeth.

Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that more people nationally are keeping their teeth than ever before.

In 1978, 30 per cent of people had lost all their natural teeth compared with 13 per cent in 1998.

But there are marked regional variations and Bury is below average.

Mr John Heywood, dental public health advisor for Bury and Rochdale Health Authority, said he was disappointed by the results. "Unfortunately our area is below average when it come's to the state of people's teeth," he said.

"People must ensure they are registered with a dentist so they can gain the benefit of the advances in recent years."

Mr Heywood acknowledged that access problems to NHS dental treatment was a problem but stressed that the health authority are working to improve the situation and develop new initiatives locally.

Adding fluoride to the water supply, Mr Heywood said, would improve the standard of people's teeth to a higher level found in areas where it is already practised.

"One of the major developments within the last two decades is the widespread use of fluoride toothpaste, but these benefits would be more pronounced if fluoridation of the supply was permitted."

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