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Supervised toothbrushing sessions in schools are helping some of the most deprived children across Swindon and Wiltshire maintain good oral health. More than 1,000 schools in the South West have joined forces with the Big Brush Club to teach children how to brush their teeth properly as part of a lifelong oral hygiene routine. The initiative, commissioned by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and supported by the region's local authorities, is delivered in schools by professionals from At Home Dental.
Read more: Residents struggling to get GP appointments in Swindon It aims to address the declining rates of oral health among disadvantaged young people. Helping children, especially those from more deprived backgrounds, to care for their teeth is a key priority for the local NHS, as local data suggests that disadvantaged children are around twice as likely to have a tooth extraction due to decay than their peers in more affluent areas. Parents can find out more about how to keep their child’s mouth healthy by visiting nhs.
uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums. Dr Amanda Webb, chief medical officer at Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: "Highlighting the need for regular and effective toothbrushing in young children is hugely important, as it helps to nurture and develop habits that support long-lasting oral health. "The work of the Big Brush Club in our local schools is really making a difference to children at what is a pivotal moment in the journey from losing their baby teeth to developing a lifelong healthy smile.
"I know from speaking with families in my own practice just how upsetting it can be when children, especially those who are very young, need to have teeth removed. "Any local interventions that can avoid such heartache are incredibly welcome." Read more: Wiltshire blood donors make history with lifesaving drugs While many schools in Swindon and Wiltshire are involved with the Big Brush Club, three have been highlighted as exemplary.
Greenmeadow Primary in Swindon, Marden Vale CE Academy in Calne, and Bulford St Leonards Primary near Salisbury have all received model school status after showing excellence in the delivery of the in-school brushing programme. A teacher from Greenmeadow Primary School said: "Learning to brush their teeth at school is a wonderful way for children in Year One to develop their independence and take responsibility for their personal hygiene. "It is great to hear from the children that they are using their at-home dental care packs confidently and understanding the importance of keeping their teeth clean both at school and at home.
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