Liverpool City Council is proud to celebrate World Oral Health Day (20 March 2026) with a commitment to improving children’s oral health, reducing sugar consumption, and supporting families across the city.
This year’s World Oral Health Day campaign highlights how oral health is essential at every age and stage of life. A healthy mouth supports lifelong wellbeing and influences everything from nutrition and speech to social confidence, learning, and healthy ageing.
The 2026 global theme, ‘A Happy Mouth is a Happy Life,’ reinforces the importance of caring for your mouth from birth through later years. It also reminds us that a healthy mouth supports the whole body and enhances everyday moments whether sharing a meal, chatting with a friend, or laughing with loved ones.
Liverpool City Council’s Public Health Team continues to drive improvements in oral health for children and families. Through school-based education, community initiatives and family focused support, the city is working to reduce sugar intake, prevent tooth decay and help every child grow up with a healthier, happier smile.
Tooth extraction remains the most common hospital procedure for five- to nine-year-olds at Alder Hey, making it vital to raise awareness of how much sugar children consume through everyday food and drink. To help address this, Public Health has been working with All Together Smiling, a Cheshire and Merseyside initiative encouraging early years settings in the 20% most deprived communities to participate in a supervised toothbrushing programme.
All Together Smiling event organised by Tiny Teeth in partnership with Liverpool City Council.
Families with children under five who may require additional support can access Tiny Teeth, a free peer-support service offering oral health information, advice and guidance. Families can self refer via Koala North West on 0151 608 8288.
Residents are encouraged to use the Find a dentist – NHS tool on the NHS website to check which dental practices are currently accepting new patients.
For anyone not registered with a dentist and needing urgent dental care, the Cheshire and Merseyside Dental Helpline is available every day, including weekends and Bank Holidays, from 8:00am to 10:00pm on 0161 476 9651.
Cllr Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, shared:
“Oral health plays a crucial role in a child’s overall wellbeing, yet too many families in Liverpool are still dealing with preventable tooth decay. World Oral Health Day is an opportunity for us to highlight the support available locally and to ensure every family knows where to turn for advice and guidance. By working with early years settings, schools and community partners, we’re helping children build healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Every child deserves the chance to grow up with a healthy smile, and we are committed to making that a reality across our city.”
Professor Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council, said:
“Tooth decay remains one of the most common health issues affecting children, but it is also one of the most preventable. Reducing sugar intake, brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and attending regular dental checkups can have a significant impact. Through initiatives like supervised toothbrushing and targeted family support, we are working to tackle inequalities and improve outcomes for children in our most affected communities. World Oral Health Day is an important reminder that a healthy mouth supports a healthy body, and small daily actions can make a big difference.”
