Isle of Man child tooth decay figures down
The number of children suffering from tooth decay in the Isle of Man has fallen, according to official figures.
A Manx health department survey shows the rate for children under the age of five, to have decreased from 52% in 2008 to 29% earlier this year.
Six years ago the Isle of Man had one of the worst records in Britain, and the health department said the latest figures were "encouraging".
A spokesman said a strategy is in place to drive up Manx dental standards.
He added: "One of the aims of the Department's Oral Health Strategy 2011 - 2016, is to reduce the prevalence of tooth decay, especially in young children to at least the average of the North West of England by 2016.
"The survey result showing that 29% of the children examined have experienced tooth decay is certainly a step in the right direction, when compared with the figure of 35% in the North West."