Oral health

What is oral health? 

A healthy mouth, teeth and gums, or oral health, is an important part of good overall health, wellbeing and quality of life.  

Find out more about children's healthy teeth and gums from the NHS. 

Why is it important for schools and settings to be aware of oral health? 

Findings from the National Dental Epidemiology Programme (NDEP) for England: oral health survey of 5 year old children 2022 found that: 

• Norfolk and Waveney had the highest prevalence of dental decay in 5-year-olds in the East of England in 2022 at 23.8%. 
• Increasing numbers of 15 - 19-year-olds with decay are being referred to secondary care for extractions. 

Oral health is crucial for children and young people's overall well-being and academic success. Here are some reasons why schools should be aware of oral health: 

1. Quality of Life and Academic Performance: Poor oral health can negatively impact children and young people's quality of life and their performance at school. Dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease can cause pain, affect the ability to speak, eat, smile, and socialise, and even lead to school absences. 
2. Prevention: Dental problems are preventable, and schools and settings can play a key role in ensuring that children and young people have the preventative oral health services they need. Schools and settings can provide a suitable supportive environment for high-risk children or young people to take part in a supervised toothbrushing programme, teaching them to brush their teeth from a young age and encouraging support for home brushing. If you would like to find out more information about setting this up, contact Community Dental Services on ohp.norfolk@cds-cic.co.uk.  
3. Education and Skills: Schools and settings can nurture the skills of resilience in children and young people, which is required to pursue healthy foods and drinks. They can also educate children and young people about dental health and preventative care. 
4. Reach and Impact: Schools and settings can reach most school-aged children and young people and provide important networks to their families and communities.  

What support is available? 

National 

Help for Early Years Providers: Oral Health: This guidance by the Department for Education states that early years providers must promote good oral health of children who attend their setting. It provides information on why oral health is important, how to look after children's oral health, and how to promote good oral health in the setting. 

Healthy Schools: Healthy Schools have developed resources to promote oral health in the classroom. These include educational resources, tooth brushing programmes, and initiatives to improve access to dental services. 

Oral Health NICE guidance: This guidance includes recommendations on promoting oral health, giving information on oral health, training and oral health services, and oral health interventions in early years services, primary schools and secondary schools.  

PSHE Association: PSHE Association provides a range of resources including lessons plans focusing on oral health. 

Norfolk 

Just One Norfolk provide professional advice and intervention from health professionals related to oral health promotion for CYP from 0-19 years (25 SEND) including further detailed support, information and advice is also provided online for older CYP. 

Norfolk County Council have developed a toolkit for schools and settings focused on oral health. The aim of the toolkit is to support you to plan a whole school approach to promoting good oral health as well provide guidance on how to respond when a child or young person needs additional support with oral health. 

 Key contacts  

Just One Norfolk - Access to advice from healthcare professionals for oral health, diet and nutrition to support healthy mouths and children's teeth can be obtained by ringing 0300 300 0123.