Toothbrushing scheme launched in 13 deprived areas

Toothbrushing scheme launched in 13 deprived areas

Children in England's poorest areas will be given free toothbrushes as part of new Government efforts to beat decay 'epidemic'. This is part of a new programme, called Starting Well, which Ministers are launching in 13 of England's poorest areas. 'Tooth brushing clubs' are also being set up in nurseries.

This is part of an initiative sparked by the then health minister, Alastair Burt, at the BDA Conference in 2016. The present health minister Steve Brine said it would 'encourage regular visits to the dentist and highlight the importance of prevention for good oral health'.

The scheme was launched last week, as part of the ‘Starting Well’ programme in in parts of Middlesbrough, Blackburn, Oldham, Blackpool, Rochdale, Bolton, Salford, Wakefield, Hull, Leicester, Luton, Slough and Ealing. It will be funded from money raised from under-delivery of UDAs (clawback) which would otherwise be lost to NHS dentistry.

But the British Dental Association described the scheme as a ‘Second Rate’ effort to tackle decay among children. It accused the Government of letting down children in England through ‘an unfunded programme to tackle child tooth decay which will operate within just 13 local authorities.’

The BDA’s Chair of General Dental Practice Henrik Overgaard-Nielsen said: “Tooth decay is the number one reason for hospital admissions across Britain. Sadly, while devolved governments have set up dedicated national programmes, England is being offered a second rate option. Council leaders have been making progress in the fight against decay without resources or direction. These areas require new investment, not a new logo, and holding a few launch events while failing to offer a single penny of new money does not constitute a national effort.”

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