New research from ARC Yorkshire & Humber researchers, featured on BBC News, reveals significant growth in supervised toothbrushing programmes across England, though experts say more support is needed to reach children in the most deprived areas.
A survey conducted by researchers from the Universities of Leeds and Sheffield found that supervised toothbrushing programmes have increased by 28% since April 2022, now reaching over 143,000 children through nearly 3,000 clubs. However, researchers emphasise that many children in deprived areas still lack access to these vital health initiatives.
“Evidence shows that many young children are experiencing poor oral health, and we know that there are other issues associated with this, including children’s readiness for the earliest years of their education,” said Professor Peter Day from the University of Leeds’ School of Dentistry and ARC Yorkshire & Humber researcher.
The study highlights concerning statistics about children’s dental health in England:
- Around 25% of five-year-olds have tooth decay
- This figure rises to 50% in areas of deprivation
- Over 33,000 young children are hospitalised annually for dental treatment
- These treatments cost the NHS more than £40 million each year
Dr Shannu Bhatia, President of the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry, emphasised the practicality of these programmes: “They are easy to implement and take no longer than 10 minutes out of the school day. Teachers are not required to brush each child’s teeth, since it becomes a peer-led activity that the children quickly engage with and enjoy.”
While almost 60% of surveyed local authorities have implemented toothbrushing programmes, several barriers remain, including:
- Lack of dedicated funding
- Staff turnover in schools
- Logistical challenges
- Time pressures
- Competing priorities
To support implementation, researchers have developed a free online toolkit available at supervisedtoothbrushing.com, providing resources for schools and nurseries to establish their own programmes.
Professor Zoe Marshman from the University of Sheffield and ARC Yorkshire & Humber researcher, stressed the broader implications: “By investing in these programmes, we’re not just preventing tooth decay; we’re investing in our children’s future.”
BRUSH is funded by NIHR Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula (PenARC), as part of it’s three year Children’s Health and Maternity programme. Co-led by NIHR ARC Yorkshire & Humber, BRUSH is one of four priority research projects investigating how evidence-based interventions can improve children’s and maternity services in England.
Local government leaders are calling for additional support, with Councillor David Fothergill noting: “Local government is committed to overcoming these barriers, but we need dedicated funding and support from central government to ensure every child – especially those in the most deprived areas – has access to these vital programmes.”
Further information
View the publication here: Supervised toothbrushing programmes in England: a national survey of current provision and factors influencing their implementation | British Dental Journal