Tens of thousands of free toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste will be given out to children in Liverpool as part of a drive to combat tooth decay.
The UK government has partnered with Colgate-Palmolive in a 5-year initiative to encourage toothbrushing and Liverpool City Council is expecting to receive more than 40,000 toothbrushes and nearly 40,000 tubes of toothpaste in July for them to distribute locally.
More than 23 million toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste will be donated nationwide as part of the scheme to support toothbrushing for 3 to 5-year-olds in early years settings across the most deprived areas of England.
Dental decay is a major public health issue in Cheshire and Merseyside, with 31% of 5-year-olds experiencing decay. Tooth extraction is also the leading cause of hospital admissions for 5–9-year-olds in the UK.
As well as toothbrushes, All Together Smiling – a supervised toothbrushing programme – is being rolled out in early years settings and primary schools across Liverpool, helping children aged between 3 and 5 years old to develop positive brushing habits. The city council’s Children’s Services and Public Health departments will work alongside early years providers, schools, health visitors, and family hubs, to help children and families build healthy toothbrushing habits that support children’s development, wellbeing, and confidence.
The Mini Mouth Care Matters Programme has also been implemented at Alder Hey to help improve the oral health of children and young people admitted to hospital for more than 24 hours which has been funded and supported by Alder Hey Children’s Charity, Liverpool City Council and NHS Cheshire and Merseyside.
Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing & Culture at Liverpool City Council, Cllr Harry Doyle, said: “Good oral health is a key part of a child’s overall wellbeing. Yet in Liverpool, tooth decay remains one of the leading causes of hospital admissions for young children.
“We are committed to tackling this by supporting families early; helping children establish simple daily habits like brushing twice a day and making healthier food and drink choices.
“By getting these routines in place from a young age, children are more likely to enjoy better health, improved school readiness and greater confidence as they grow.”
Public Health Consultant at Liverpool City Council, Melisa Campbell, added: “Families are encouraged to take simple steps to dental hygiene at home.
“Ensure children’s teeth are brushed twice a day with fluoride toothpaste; Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears; Choose healthier snacks and drinks; and take children for regular dental check-ups.
“Families can find a local NHS dentist by searching “find an NHS dentist” online.
“Parents can also request free toothbrushes and toothpaste for children and young people aged 0–18 across Liverpool. Requests can be made by emailing publichealth@liverpool.gov.uk.”
Prof Sondos Albadri, Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry at University of Liverpool and Alder Hey: “As a consultant in paediatric dentistry at Alder Hey, I see children as young as three needing 16 to 20 teeth removed under general anaesthetic, and this is almost entirely preventable.
“Liverpool’s figures remain among the worst in the country, with a third of our five-year-olds still affected by tooth decay, well above the national average. Across England, tooth decay is now the leading reason for children aged five to nine being admitted to hospital.
“That is why this programme matters. Getting toothbrushes and toothpaste into the hands of families, and supervised brushing into our schools and nurseries, saves children from the operating table. No child should lose their teeth before their fifth birthday.”
Ian Cain, Practice Manager of mydentist Abercromby, commented: “We see a high number of patients with tooth decay, particularly in children and vulnerable groups, and the importance of having access to toothbrushes and toothpaste can’t be stressed enough. While these seem like basic items to people who have access to them, being unable to brush your teeth regularly increases your risk of decay and this can lead to several dental issues such as painful cavities, gum disease, abscesses, inflammation, and tooth loss.
“Since engaging with Liverpool City Council to distribute toothbrushing packs to children, we’ve seen a huge uptake from patients and greater engagement in learning how to brush their teeth properly. For some, there are multiple barriers to visiting their dentist. It can come with feelings of shame or embarrassment if they haven’t been shown how to brush their teeth properly before, or if they have been unable to access toothbrushes and toothpaste. That’s why it’s so critical that we continue to support the most vulnerable people in our community – children and adults alike. We hope to see the initiative continue, and to be rolled out to older children as well as vulnerable adults in the future to further tackle tooth decay.”
