Children and Young People Committee

Inquiry into Children’s Oral Health

Evidence from Children’s Centre Ceredigion – Annex A

Thank you for your interest in the Welsh Assembly funded Designed to Smile programme.

We have noted your request to be included in the tooth brushing programme, however your school/nursery does not currently fit the criteria for inclusion in the programme.

The programme involves children brushing daily with suitable strength fluoride toothpaste in nursery and primary schools throughout Wales. The programme includes other educational aspects involving parents and carers of young children, health care professionals and clinical preventative programmes, all of which aim to reduce dental decay in young children. There is a real need for a targeted national programme, as the dental health of children in Wales is amongst the worst in the United Kingdom.

Hywel Dda Community Dental Service has been tasked with the challenge of developing the programme as well as the delivery of activities in areas of greatest need. Our Designed to Smile Team target the most deprived communities of Hywell Dda  The choice of which schools or nurseries take part is determined by the percentage of decayed, missing and filled teeth (known as dmft), among five year olds in an area. The tooth brushing component currently takes place in (number)nursery and school settings, with (number) children brushing. We are endeavouring to increase programme activity in additional nursery and school settings which meet the inclusion criteria.

We will keep you informed of further developments should there be further expansion