Figures revealed an 83 per cent increase in the number of caries-related tooth extractions in hospitals for 0-to-19-year-olds compared to the previous year, 2020/2011.
Andy Virr, cabinet member for public health at Cornwall Council, said, “Extraction of teeth because of tooth decay continues to be the most common reason for hospital admission in children aged six to 10 years. This is preventable and oral health is an important aspect of a child’s overall health status and their school readiness and their ability to learn and develop.
“It could not be a better time for our partnership to launch this critical oral health pathway to support the oral health of Cornish children from nine months to five years and enable even earlier interventions.”
The first programme, Smarter Smiles, will provide oral health education and a fluoride varnish programme as well as an accreditation scheme for schools and nurseries in areas of high decay across Cornwall. It will champion a ‘whole-school’ approach to oral health promotion and prevention.
Smarter Smiles builds on the legacy of the successful Brighter Smiles oral health programme, which delivered toothbrushing clubs, fluoride varnishing and oral health education to around 6,500 children each year.
The Smarter Smiles combined oral health promotion team will not only continue this work with young children but complement it by making a sustainable difference to the oral health of children and adults with additional needs.
Alison Cane, outreach manager at Smile Together, said, “Since 2015, Cornwall Council and Smile Together have co-funded the delivery of Brighter Smiles, Cornwall’s oral health programme, which has seen our outreach team engaging with thousands of children each year. Delivering this expanded Smarter Smiles oral health programme will positively influence the oral health of thousands more children and adults most in need across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.”
The second new programme, named First Dental Steps, will see the council’s health visitors support families with tooth-brushing for nine–12-month-old babies.
The third will see free oral health packs distributed to every two-year-old in the county, estimated to be around 7,500 children, thanks to the generous support of Smile Together and Go Cornwall Bus Company.
The three schemes combine to form an integrated oral health pathway to give children the best possible start in life.
The new First Dental Steps scheme is a national Health Visitor-led infant oral health improvement programme in collaboration with NHS England.
There are approximately 5,000 births a year in the county and Smile Together dental experts have been sharing information for Health Visitors to support families with effective toothbrushing of children aged 9-12 months at their Health Visitor review.
Families will benefit from oral health packs including age-appropriate toothbrushes, sippy cups designed for toddlers to prevent or reduce spills, and oral health advice and guidance, preventative advice and prevention clinics, and onward referrals where needed for specialist dental treatment for more complex dental cases.
In addition to all this, Smile Together and Go Cornwall Bus are jointly funding free oral health packs to every two-year-old in Cornwall with distribution once again via the Health Visitor network.
These packs will contain age-appropriate toothpaste, toothbrushes and a ‘top tips’ leaflet for the family giving oral health advice and guidance.
Mark Collins, commercial director at Go South West, said, “Recognising the importance of children’s oral health we were keen to become an oral health supporter. As we provide a comprehensive network of bus services throughout Cornwall, we wanted something with county-wide impact so this opportunity to ensure an oral health pack reaches every two-year-old is perfect, filling the gap between First Dental Steps and Smarter Smiles to ensure there is a smooth oral health pathway for every child from nine months through to five years.”
For more information visit https://smartersmiles.co.uk/