6th December 2016
Two new publications on oral health have been issued today:
PHE: Improving oral health: supervised tooth brushing programme toolkit
This toolkit is for commissioners and providers of supervised tooth brushing programmes in England.
In 2014, both NICE and PHE published documents that reviewed the evidence of effectiveness of oral health improvement programmes. They both recommended commissioning targeted supervised toothbrushing in early years’ settings. Read Improving oral health: an evidence-informed toolkit for local authorities.
Many local authorities in England already commission such programmes. This toolkit will help commissioners, public health teams and providers make sure their programmes are evidence-based and safe, and have clear accountability and reporting arrangements.
Report: Delivering Supervised Toothbrushing for Two, Three and Four Year Olds in Early Years Settings
Public Health England commissioned this feasibility study of a facilitated toothbrushing and oral health programme. The aim was to support sustained awareness of oral health in 2, 3 and 4 year olds in early years settings as part of the aspiration to achieve a generation free from tooth decay, improve children’s school readiness and give every child the Best Start in Life.
The work is part of PHE’s wider commitment to driving improvements in oral health and reducing health inequalities to reach the ambition of a generation free from tooth decay. Action to achieve the ambition is being led by the PHE Child Oral Health improvement Programme Board and its work sits within the national priority of ensuring every child has the Best Start in Life.
The report is published on the Foundation Years website and has been developed by Action for Children in conjunction with a supervised tooth brushing commissioning toolkit published by PHE.
