Training and community action: improving oral health from birth

Establishing good oral health habits from a young age is vital for helping babies and children grow up healthier and happier. Early support to ensure healthy teeth and gums helps children sleep better, eat well and feel confident.

NHS Mid and South Essex established the Bright Smiles Child Oral Health Improvement Programme to encourage families and children to take care of their teeth. The Early Years Oral Health Team delivered the programme, which started in Thurrock and expanded across mid and south Essex.

Training the trainers: building a solid base of knowledge

Families across Essex get local health support in the community through the Essex Child and Wellbeing Service. The service, run by Virgin Care and children’s charity Barnardo’s, helps families from pregnancy through to early adulthood.

The Early Years Oral Health Team wanted to build consistency in how frontline early years professionals, such as health visitors, talk to families about keeping teeth and gums healthy.

A survey found that health visitors would benefit from improved understanding of how to achieve and maintain healthy teeth and gums. They wanted to know how to share information easily during busy visits. Based on the results, the team offered training to all of the service’s frontline early years workers. The sessions covered key guidance including diet, toothbrushing and dental care.

The aim of was to help families receive clear and consistent oral health information each time they used the service. After training, staff said they felt more confident to do this.

Building healthier smiles for Gypsy, Traveller and Showperson families

The Early Years Oral Health Team worked with Barnardo’s to help families at Buckles Lane in Thurrock improve their children’s teeth and gums. The programme focused on tackling inequalities – unfair and avoidable differences in people’s health. It also aimed to help children keep their teeth and gums healthy.

Building trust and using existing community relationships was key. This helped understand the families’ healthcare experiences and access, and tailor support to their needs and cultural differences. The team collaborated with local Traveller Liaison Officers at Thurrock Council to provide toothbrushing advice and toothbrushing kits.

The liaison officers were then trained as oral health champions to help give families helpful information and support in the future. This project shows how trusted relationships and partnership working can deliver a sustainable community-led approach to improving children’s oral health.