Supervised Toothbrushing
Better Start is working with early years settings and schools across Blackpool to make daily toothbrushing an enjoyable part of every child’s routine – helping them build lifelong habits that support not only good oral health, but also their confidence, wellbeing and ability to learn.
This programme aims to improve the oral health of children in the community by providing children’s centres, nurseries, schools, childminders with training and the necessary equipment for supervised tooth brushing.
What is Supervised Toothbrushing?
Supervised toothbrushing (STB) is where children are supervised by setting staff to brush their teeth once per day. It is not intended to replace toothbrushing at home, but rather to supplement it.
Why it’s important
Toothbrushing both at home and in settings or schools strengthens daily routines and significantly lowers the risk of tooth decay. In the national oral health survey
of 5-year-old children in 2014/2015 it was identified that 43%, almost half, of all Blackpool children surveyed in reception had visually obvious dental decay.
Following the implementation of Supervised Toothbrushing within Early Years Settings across the town the number of children with poor dental health has
reduced. The rate of improvement is greater than the national rate of improvement with 11% less children1 experience visually obvious dental decay.
Dental decay remains one of the most common reasons for hospital admissions among young children in the UK, often requiring treatment under anaesthetic. Pain, infection and sleepless nights caused by poor oral health can lead to absences resulting in missed opportunities for learning, play and social development.
Research suggests that healthy teeth have a direct impact on speech, language and communication. They are essential for clear speech sound production, confident communication and engagement in learning.
How it works
Supervised Toothbrushing is funded by Blackpool Public Health and Blackpool Better Start is supports the delivery. Better Start will supply your setting or school with all the equipment needed to carry out Supervised Toothbrushing with the children. They will also provide a free support package, delivered by a dedicated mentor that includes:
• A meeting to discuss how the programme works.
• A training video to demonstrate the programme step by step.
• Support delivering your first supervised toothbrushing session with the children.
• Additional support sessions if needed.
• Advice around how to support all children to participate; and resources to help you share key messages with parents and carers.
Supervised Toothbrushing is a fun and exciting activity that creates effective brushing habits, these habits are then transferred to the home learning environment supporting children’s healthy development.
Who is it for?
- Supervised Toothbrushing is available for all childminders, nursery and reception children in Blackpool.
How to sign up
Joining the scheme is a simple process. Please email Betterstart.cecd@nspcc.org.uk and we can discuss how we can support you on your Supervised Toothbrushing journey.