The toolkit supports ICBs, Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), and key stakeholders in children’s oral health in identifying oral health needs and planning and delivering dental services for looked after children.
The toolkit was written by a working group that came together to share practical examples of activities and programmes that have been implemented in different regions of the UK. It contains personal reflections and case studies embedded in the document which provide practical and real examples of activities and programmes that have been implemented in different regions of the UK.
Whilst BSPD has not initiated this document, the society supports the publication of this toolkit as part of the drive to ensure that the oral health needs of looked after children are prioritised.
Who are looked after children?
Looked after children (LAC) are defined under the Children’s Act 1989 as children and young people (CYP) who have been under the continuous care of a local authority for more than 24 hours. LACs are placed in care under a court or through voluntary arrangements with their parents or carers. They can remain in care until their 18th birthday or older if they are in full-time education.
LAC also includes unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC), a person under 18 years old or who, in the absence of documentary evidence establishing age, appears to be under that age and is applying for asylum on their own right, is separated from both parents, and is not being cared for by an adult who, in law or by custom, has a responsibility to do so. Importantly, current government policy does not support using dental records or X-rays to assist with age estimations for UASC.
Contributors and acknowledgements
The ‘LAC Oral Health Toolkit’ has been written by four main authors: Laura Johnston, Vanessa Muirhead, Claire Stevens and Katharine Julia Hurry. It has also been supported by 24 other experts with personal reflections on case studies, and six individuals have provided feedback and comments prior to publication.
Vanessa Muirhead, author and clinical reader, and honorary consultant in dental public health, Queen Mary University of London, said, “Looked after children are an overlooked and vulnerable group. Our research with LAC, care leavers and foster carers shows that they often have unmet dental needs despite the conscientious care often provided in foster families. We created this practical toolkit to draw on evidence, to share examples of different programmes and to provide links to further resources. Tackling inequalities in LAC is essential and a key objective of NHS England national policies such as ‘Core20PLUS5 for Children and Young People’. We hope that this toolkit will be widely used to improve dental services for LAC and care leavers at a crucial time in their lives.”