In an effort to promote oral health and reduce tooth decay among young children, Wiltshire Council is backing an important initiative to encourage regular toothbrushing in local schools and nurseries. This initiative, launched in conjunction with National Children’s Dental Health Month this February, aims to establish healthy dental habits from a young age.
Wiltshire schools and nurseries have joined forces with the Big Brush Club, a supervised toothbrushing programme commissioned by NHS England and facilitated by At Home Dental, a mobile dental provider. The scheme, which provides daily in-class toothbrushing for children aged 3 to 5, is part of a broader two-year campaign across the South West. Wiltshire is now one of over 50,000 children in the region benefitting from this initiative.
The programme has received strong support from Wiltshire Council’s Public Health team, which collaborates closely with the NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (ICB). With 76 educational settings currently participating across the county, the scheme is a key component of the council’s broader public health objectives to empower residents to live healthy lives with a focus on prevention and early intervention.
Tooth decay in children remains a significant issue in Wiltshire. The number of 5- to 9-year-olds requiring hospital admissions for tooth extractions due to decay is over 70% higher than the national and regional averages. Despite being preventable, tooth decay affects one in four young children, and regular toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste is one of the most effective ways to reduce the condition.
Through the supervised toothbrushing programme, children in schools and nurseries brush their teeth daily with fluoride toothpaste under the supervision of staff, all within a five-minute session. This approach has been proven to substantially lower the rates of tooth decay in children, and the initiative targets the most disadvantaged areas of Wiltshire, where children are disproportionately affected by dental issues.
Children from deprived backgrounds are almost three and a half times more likely to require tooth extractions due to decay compared to those from more affluent areas. The consequences are far-reaching, with children missing school, experiencing anxiety, and facing the risks associated with general anaesthesia. Additionally, tooth extractions in children come at a significant cost to the NHS.
Kate Blackburn, Wiltshire’s Director of Public Health, emphasized the importance of addressing oral health from an early age, stating, “Poor oral health can impact children’s ability to sleep, eat, speak, play, and socialise. However, tooth decay is largely preventable, and that’s why it’s crucial to help children develop these essential habits, which will support lifelong oral health.”
The Big Brush Club programme has been well received across Wiltshire, with over 3,500 children actively participating. Schools and nurseries involved in the programme receive full support, including training and supplies such as toothbrushes, fluoride toothpaste, and toothbrush holders, to ensure that all children are given the opportunity to maintain good oral health.
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