Healthbox is delighted to announce that it has been commissioned by the All Together Smiling programme, hosted by Beyond (Cheshire & Merseyside Children and Young People’s Transformation programme) on behalf of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, to deliver Supervised Toothbrushing training and quality assurance support to eligible nurseries and schools across Cheshire and Merseyside. This three‐year initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance oral health support and messaging in the sub-region.
The training programme will be delivered using a comprehensive blend of online, digital, and face-to-face sessions. These sessions have been designed to support settings to implement effective, supervised toothbrushing routines. Sarah, our Schools Programmes Manager, together with Liz, our Registered Dental Therapist, will lead these sessions. Their expertise will ensure that staff at identified nurseries and schools are equipped with the latest techniques and knowledge to promote healthy brushing habits, thereby helping to make a lasting difference in children’s oral health.
Through All Together Smiling, thousands of children have already benefited from free oral health packs that include a toothbrush, toothpaste, and key message leaflet - to help prevent tooth decay. Over 229,000 oral health packs have been distributed across Cheshire and Merseyside’s nine areas, underscoring the commitment to supporting children’s oral health in every community.
Statistics taken from the recent National Dental Epidemiology Programme (2024) for England Oral Health survey of 5-year-olds, revealed that 22.4% of 5 year old children in England had experience of obvious dentinal decay, with the North West (28.7%) having the highest outside of London, and Cheshire and Merseyside showing an average of 31.2%.
Alarmingly, tooth decay remains the leading cause of hospital admissions among children aged five to nine. Children living in the most disadvantaged communities are 3.5 times more likely to require the extraction of a decayed tooth than those living in more affluent areas. This highlights the pressing need for targeted interventions that can make a tangible impact.
By working closely with local partners, the programme not only delivers oral health packs to educational and community organisations but also provides tailored, age-appropriate support in early years and primary school settings. Trained staff employ engaging tools such as songs and videos to inspire children to adopt regular toothbrushing habits - ensuring that oral health is prioritised from an early age.
All Together Smiling forms a vital component of All Together Fairer - a collaborative approach in Cheshire and Merseyside that brings together public, private, and third-sector organisations. This partnership is dedicated to reducing health inequalities and building a fairer, healthier region for all children.
Commenting on the new initiative, Sarah Howe said:
"We are immensely pleased to have been awarded this funding. At Healthbox, we recognise the critical importance of early oral health education. We are excited to begin delivering our comprehensive supervised toothbrushing training programme and to support early years settings and schools in implementing effective oral health practices."
Liz Crabtree, Beyond Programme Director said:
“We are delighted to be working with Healthbox given their expertise of delivering oral health training. Equipping practitioners with evidence-based training is key to ensuring effective and safe practice of supervised toothbrushing programmes and we look forward to working together to improve oral health and reduce inequalities across our communities.”
Healthbox looks forward to working in partnership with Beyond and Local Authorities to deliver this transformative training programme over the remaining two years of delivery, marking a significant step forward in improving children’s oral health across Cheshire and Merseyside.
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