Schools and nurseries across Knowsley have supported an initiative aimed at tackling tooth decay among young children.
Staff at private and school nurseries across the borough have taken part in The Healthy Knowsley Service Early Years Supervised Toothbrushing training programme, which equips staff with the skills and resources to encourage effective toothbrushing techniques among children and embed good toothbrushing habits throughout childhood.
The programme also provides families with oral health information, tips, and take-home packs including a toothbrush and toothpaste.
Commissioned by Public Health in Knowsley and supported by the Cheshire and Merseyside All Together Smiling programme, training sessions have been delivered at 26 Early Years settings in Knowsley – involving more than 200 staff. A total of 1,612 children are currently taking part.
Tooth decay remains one of the most common yet preventable health issues affecting children in the UK. In Knowsley, the percentage of five-year-olds with experience of dental decay has increased from 31.2% in 2021/22 to 35.8% in 2023/24.
Tooth decay is largely preventable through regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste, reducing sugar consumption and routine dental visits.
Cllr Christine Bannon, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Health said: “It’s great that so many of our early years’ settings have got involved with the training programme. By targeting young children at a critical stage in their development, the programme is aiming to instil lifelong good oral health habits. This not only reduces tooth decay and the burden on dental services but also supports school readiness through improved health and wellbeing.”
Schools and nurseries delivering supervised toothbrushing programmes in Knowsley are:
- Eastcroft Park Community Primary School
- Halsnead Community Primary (Academy)
- Hope Primary School
- Knowsley Village Primary
- Knowsley Lane Academy
- Malvern Primary School
- Northwood Primary School
- Park Brow Community Primary
- Roby Park Primary
- Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Primary
- St Aidan’s Catholic Primary
- St Aloysius Catholic Primary
- St Columba’s Catholic Primary
- St Gabriel’s Church of England Primary (Academy)
- St Joseph The Worker Catholic Primary
- St Laurence’s Catholic Primary
- St Mary & St Pauls C of E Primary
- St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary School
- Stockbridge Village Primary School
- Sylvester Primary Academy
- Whiston Willis Primary Academy
- Park View Academy
- Kids Planet Safari
- The Apple Trust Neighbourhood Nursery
- St Peter and St Paul Primary
- Park Brow Primary
Find out more about the Cheshire and Merseyside All Together Smiling programme.