Whole school approach to oral health
What support can we signpost families to?
NICE guidelines recommend providing opportunities for staff to talk with families about, and involve them in, improving their children's oral health. For example, opportunities might arise at parents' evenings, open days or by encouraging parents and carers to get involved in developing the school food and drinks policy.
You could also consider setting up drop-ins or open sessions, with health practitioners wherever possible, which provide demonstrations around toothbrushing and nutrition (these could be face to face or online). These types of activities can stimulate meaningful engagement for families and communicate your commitment to good oral health.
Supportive signposting for families
- Just One Norfolk provides lots of information and guidance for families around oral health including on toothbrushes and toothpaste, young children's teeth, older children and teenager's teeth, oral health for children with additional needs and visiting the dentist.
- The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry has put together a A Practical Guide to Children's Teeth which can be shared with families and is available in other languages too.
- Community Dental Services provides many videos for sharing with families.
- Colgate has developed educational resources, including a 'Parent Take-Home Oral Care Brochure' which can be printed off and shared with families, and a 'Brush Your Way to a Day of Bright Smiles'board game, and they have a collection of FAQs directly from families.
- Dental HealthCare shares advice on how to brush teeth well, resources such as brushing charts for home, and videos from Dr Ranj on looking after your child's teeth in different age groups.
- Nutrition advice from Community Dental Services
- Milk.co.uk provides downloadable guidance, recipes and meal planners around healthy eating and teeth for different aged CYP.
Remember: It is important for families to feel as though they have someone at their child's school or setting that they can talk to for support around oral health as well as other health or wellbeing concerns. |
Additional needs signposting
- A Parents' Guide to oral health and dental care for children with a learning disability, autism or both
- Information and tips for maintaining oral health in children with autism
- Guidance on How to support children with sensitivity to food
If you feel a family would benefit from support from a Family Hub, then please refer them through this 'Request for Support Early Help Information and Consent' form. Families can also refer themselves or visit their local family hub.