Give kids a helping hand and sign up to a toothbrushing programme

With reports of further lockdowns predicted in 2021, the charity says nursery managers MUST continue to act responsibly and make oral health a priority, potentially to reduce tooth decay in children by up to 30%[1].

Latest figures by the Local Government Association show nearly 45,000 hospital operations were performed to remove children’s rotten teeth during 2018/19 as a result of tooth decay and high sugar diets. In fact, with a programme of oral health education initiatives and nationwide supervised tooth brushing programmes, these procedures would be entirely preventable. Moreover, a cash-strapped NHS would save millions in costs.

The Dental Wellness Trust is also calling for all Early Years settings with regular interaction with children to be on high alert for possible safeguarding where cases are found of severe dental decay – with responsibility not lying solely with social services. Where parents or carers repeatedly fail to access dental treatment for a child’s tooth decay or leave dental pain untreated, alarm bells concerning neglect should ring for all those working with or responsible for children.