Devon is the first area in the south west to expand supervised tooth brushing for 3 to 5 year olds in all primary schools, including Plymouth.
Under the Conservatives, tooth decay became the biggest reason for children’s hospital admissions.
This supervised tooth brushing scheme, known as the Big Brush Club, is running in Plymouth’s schools through a partnership with NHS Devon and Plymouth City Council. Teachers hold short, daily toothbrushing sessions to three- to five-year-old children, alongside lessons about self-care, healthy eating and reducing sugar.
Alongside this scheme, I will continue to campaign until everyone in Plymouth has access to NHS dentistry, children and adults alike. The government has announced 24,000 extra NHS dental appointments for Devon, and work is underway to open our new Peninsula clinic in the city centre. But there is still much more to do.
Tackling the dental crisis is complex and will take time, but schemes like this are working towards creating a generation of children with healthy teeth. 🪥