Nurseries across Knowsley are leading the way with an initiative aimed at tackling the rise in 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, there have been 29 training sessions delivered at Knowsley Early Years settings between January and July 2025, with 3,457 take home packs given to the families of children aged 2,3 and 4 years old.
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.”
Find out more about the Cheshire and Merseyside All Together Smiling programme.