Fall in dentist child registering

Children are encouraged to visit the dentist regularly

The number of pre-school children in Londonderry who are registered with a dentist has fallen behind the Northern Ireland average.

Only 15% of children under three are registered in Derry, well below the average of 25%.

Dentist Peter Hughes said he believed the lack of dentists in the city could be partly to blame.

"There is a shortage of dentists here so it's difficult for both children and adults to get access."

Mr Hughes said he believed the culture of visiting the dentist needed to change.

"There just isn't the tradition to bring children to a dentist for a check up or to get them used to it."