Dental Nurse Network strongly supports the UK Government’s newly announced supervised toothbrushing programme, aimed at preventing tooth decay in young children from deprived communities. As an organisation dedicated to advancing oral health education, we welcome this long-awaited initiative as a vital step toward tackling the ongoing crisis in children’s oral health.
Starting from April 2025, the programme will reach up to 600,000 children aged three to five in early years settings such as nurseries and primary schools in England’s most deprived areas. Backed by £11 million in government funding and a landmark partnership with Colgate-Palmolive, this rollout is a practical and evidence-based intervention designed to instil positive oral health habits from an early age.
At Dental Nurse Network, we have long championed the power of oral health education in changing lives. We believe oral health education and promotion is essential. We see all too well what happens when a child’s teeth have not been looked after — it can massively impact their appearance, confidence and health later in life. Early intervention isn’t just preferable; it’s critical. Teaching positive habits from a young age can change the trajectory of a child’s wellbeing.
This initiative reflects everything we believe in. Through our sponsorship of Dentaid’s BrightBites programme, we actively support interactive oral health education for school-aged children in the UK and overseas, with a focus on vulnerable communities. BrightBites brings trained volunteers into nurseries, schools, and community groups to deliver engaging sessions on brushing technique, tooth anatomy, sugar awareness, and the importance of dental check-ups. It’s a joy to see children light up during these sessions, with many receiving their very first toothbrush and learning how to use it.
The government’s partnership with Colgate-Palmolive is a particularly welcome development. With a long-standing global reputation in oral health outreach through the Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® programme, Colgate has proven it can deliver at scale. Over 23 million toothbrushes and toothpastes will be donated across five years, along with educational materials to help people continue good habits at home. It’s a smart, sustainable collaboration that will enhance both public and parental engagement.
The numbers behind this initiative are sobering:
- Tooth decay remains the most common reason for hospital admissions among those aged five to nine in England.
- In deprived areas, as many as one in three five-year-olds have already experienced tooth decay.
- Last year alone, more than 49,000 children under 19 were admitted to hospital for tooth extraction.
Supervised toothbrushing is a proven, cost-effective public health intervention, with evidence showing it can reduce dental disease and oral health inequalities within two to three years. For every £1 spent, the programme is expected to save the NHS £3 in future treatment costs — potentially saving over £34 million in the next five years.
Importantly, the scheme ties in with wider reforms aimed at improving access to NHS dentistry, increasing the affordability of childcare, and reducing health inequalities. The rollout of community water fluoridation in the northeast is another step in the right direction.
We know that poor oral health can affect so much more than a child’s smile. It impacts their sleep, nutrition, speech, school readiness, and self-esteem. We’re pleased to see decisive action being taken — and even more pleased to see education and prevention being put at the heart of it.
At Dental Nurse Network, we’ll continue our mission to train, support and equip dental professionals, who are often the first line of defence in improving oral health outcomes. We encourage all early years providers to register their interest in participating and help give every child the best start in life.
