LONDON: A UK government-backed supervised toothbrushing programme is being rolled out in nurseries and primary schools across the most deprived areas of England, aiming to protect hundreds of thousands of children from tooth decay.
The initiative targets children aged 3 to 5 in early years settings, helping them develop positive oral hygiene habits from a young age. Backed by £11 million in government funding, the scheme will be delivered by local authorities, which will work with participating schools and nurseries in targeted communities.
A groundbreaking programme will see the donation of more than 23 million toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste over the next five years.
Tooth decay remains the leading cause of hospital admissions for children aged 5 to 9 in England. Around one in five children aged five have experienced tooth decay, with the figure rising to one in three in more deprived areas. Public health experts say supervised brushing is one of the most effective ways to prevent these problems and reduce long-term inequalities in oral health.
In addition to supervised brushing, the government has confirmed plans to expand community water fluoridation in the north east of England. This measure is expected to reach 1.6 million more people and further reduce rates of dental decay, particularly among young children.
According to the NHS, supervised toothbrushing can deliver measurable improvements within two to three years and save millions in treatment costs — every £1 invested is expected to save £3 in avoided dental care.
Officials say this initiative is part of a broader Plan for Change, which also includes expanding urgent dental appointments, reforming NHS dental contracts, and improving access to affordable childcare. Together, these measures aim to give every child the best start in life by addressing health inequalities and promoting preventive care.
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