Children in deprived areas of England will soon benefit from a new supervised toothbrushing programme aimed at preventing tooth decay. The government announced that this initiative will be available for children aged three to five in early years settings, including nurseries and primary schools.
The programme is set to begin in April with funding provided to help young children develop positive brushing habits. Dr Nigel Carter, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, expressed support for the initiative: "We strongly welcome the introduction of supervised toothbrushing in nurseries and schools. With tooth decay being the leading cause of hospital admissions for young children, this initiative has the potential to prevent unnecessary pain, reduce health inequalities, and save the NHS millions."
Dr Carter emphasized that while supervised brushing is effective, it should be part of a broader strategy that includes improving access to NHS dentistry and promoting healthier diets. He urged continued investment in prevention efforts so all children can have a healthy start.
Tooth decay is a significant issue among young children, particularly those aged five to nine who often require hospital treatment for decayed teeth. Recent data indicates one in four five-year-olds in England experience tooth decay, with higher rates found in more deprived areas.
Health Minister Stephen Kinnock commented on the situation: “It is shocking that a third of five-year-olds in the most deprived areas have experience of tooth decay – something we know can have a lifelong impact on their health." He explained that the government aims to provide support through supervised toothbrushing as part of broader plans to improve national oral health.
The scheme involves an £11 million investment across local authorities in England. Schools and nurseries can voluntarily sign up for participation. Local authorities are tasked with identifying suitable early years settings and encouraging enrollment.
Colgate-Palmolive has partnered with the government by donating over 23 million toothbrushes and toothpaste over five years. They are also providing educational materials as part of a public-facing children's oral health campaign supporting the NHS.
Jason Wong, Chief Dental Officer for England, stated: "Tooth brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste remains one of the best defences against tooth decay and a long list of preventable oral health issues." He highlighted free dental care available through the NHS for all children.
The rollout aims to save millions by reducing costs associated with treating dental disease in children. Each pound spent on supervised toothbrushing could save three pounds in avoided treatment costs over five years.
Data shows over 49,000 young people under-19 were admitted to hospital for tooth extraction during the financial year ending 2024.
