This Newsletter is brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Early Years team, for the attention of Early Years Providers.
In the run up to Halloween, where scarily sugary snacks lurk round every corner, you may wish to promote oral health with your families this month. To support your guidance for parents and caregivers, this edition is packed full of helpful resources to use and signpost to, including our Top Tips for Teeth campaign, content from the new BSIL parent hub, useful statistics, and some healthy Halloween recipes.
The Best Start in Life (previously Better Health Start for Life) 'Top Tips for Teeth' resources were created to help you promote good oral health and awareness of available dental support among your families and carers. These resources highlight the importance of early toothbrushing from around six months, limiting sugary drinks, and encouraging children to spit rather than rinse after brushing to keep fluoride protection, among other useful messages. They include printed and digital materials such as posters, leaflets, and social media toolkits, all signposting to NHS-approved online guidance. There are even some 'empty belly' resources, which you can localise to specific services and locations.
Over the coming months we will be updating all of our Better Health Start for Life resources to the new Best Start in Life branding. This may lead to a period where some orderable assets are out of stock. To avoid disappointment, order now whilst stocks last. - Better Health Start for Life Top Tips For Teeth | Campaigns | Campaign Resource Centre
Baby and Toddler Teeth Care on the new BSIL Parent Hub - Baby and toddler tooth care - Best Start in Life - NHS
Working with Colgate-Palmolive to give children the best start in life:
October marks the beginning of a 5-year programme to help children develop positive toothbrushing behaviour and set them on a path to better oral health.
The DHSC partnership with Colgate-Palmolive will make over 23 million toothbrushes, toothpastes and classroom resources available to support up to 600,000 three- to five-year-olds in the most deprived areas of England. 2 million products have already been distributed to eligible councils, who have also been contacted with details on receiving a further 3 million to follow by Christmas this year.
This collaboration compliments the work already being taken to make family life easier, such as the expansion of free school meals and the cost cap on school uniform.
Facts and stats:
For you:
More than a fifth of 5 year olds in England have tooth decay, affecting 3 to 4 teeth on average: Help for early years providers : Oral health
Children from more deprived backgrounds are more likely to have tooth decay: Help for early years providers : Oral health
Tooth decay was the most common reason for children aged between 5 to 9 years to be admitted to hospital: Hospital tooth extractions in 0 to 19 year olds 2024 - GOV.UK
The decay-related tooth extraction rate for children and young people living in the most deprived communities was nearly 3.5 times that of those living in the most affluent communities: Hospital tooth extractions in 0 to 19 year olds 2024 - GOV.UK
For your Families:
Pregnant people are more vulnerable to gum disease: 0-3 and Pregnancy Editorial content | Better Health Start for Life Top Tips For Teeth | Campaign Resource Centre
Dental check-ups and treatments are free during pregnancy and up to a year after birth: 0-3 and Pregnancy Editorial content | Better Health Start for Life Top Tips For Teeth | Campaign Resource Centre
Under 18’s are entitled to free NHS dental treatment in England: 0-3 and Pregnancy Editorial content | Better Health Start for Life Top Tips For Teeth | Campaign Resource Centre
From the moment their first tooth appears, it’s time to start helping your child brush twice a day: 0-3 and Pregnancy Editorial content | Better Health Start for Life Top Tips For Teeth | Campaign Resource Centre
Introducing your baby to free-flow cups from 6 months can help avoid tooth decay: 0-3 and Pregnancy Editorial content | Better Health Start for Life Top Tips For Teeth | Campaign Resource Centre