WORCESTERSHIRE children have much better teeth than their neighbours in Herefordshire, according to the latest study.

The figures show that 75 per cent of five-year-olds in the county are completely free from tooth decay, compared with only 58 per cent in Herefordshire. A group of 100 Worcestershire youngsters was found to have only 83 teeth affected by decay between them. In Herefordshire the figure was 175.

Alan McMichael, consultant in dental public health to primary care trusts in Worcestershire, said: "The study confirms yet again the dental benefits of water fluoridation."