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Oral health improvement
The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Oral Health Improvement team co-ordinate, facilitate and support a range of evidence-based interventions to reduce oral health inequalities and improve oral health across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Supervised Toothbrushing
The Oral Health Improvement team in Worcestershire run the Smile Squad supervised toothbrushing scheme in targeted early years settings for children between 2-5 years of age.
Supervised toothbrushing programmes don’t replace brushing at home. They help families by giving each child a free toothbrush and toothpaste to take home every term and staff encourage families to brush twice a day at home.
Settings that participate enable children to brush their own teeth using fluoride toothpaste, while trained early-years staff oversee the activity to ensure it is done correctly, one a day.
To learn more about supervised toothbrushing, watch the video below.
Oral health staff training for key front-line staff-
Oral health plays a huge role in our overall health and well-being. The Smile Well Team work across Herefordshire and Worcestershire to provide evidence-based, up-to-date oral health training designed to strengthen the knowledge and skills of front-line staff. This training empowers professionals to confidently deliver key oral health messages as part of their everyday rolls.
Bespoke training sessions are available for a wide range of professionals, including health visitors, school nurses, early years practitioners, care home staff, social workers, charity organisations, community hospital staff and other relevant teams.
If your team would like to request free oral health training, please email: whcnhs.worcestershireoralhealth@nhs.net
Oral Health Champion Training-
The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Oral Health Improvement team carry out regular Oral Health Champion Training sessions for Care Homes across the counties.
The training is free and helps staff to:
- Understand why good oral health is essential for overall wellbeing.
- Be aware of NICE guidance and CQC requirements for oral health in care homes.
- Recognise the causes of dental disease and how to prevent them.
- Gain confidence in carrying out mouth care assessments.
- Support residents with daily mouth care.
If your Care Home in in Herefordshire or Worcestershire and you are interested in Oral Health Champion training, please email the team.
Social media, Website, Apps
Worcestershire Oral Health Facebook- Our Oral Health Improvement Team post key oral health messages, tips, training updates and campaigns on here, please follow to keep up to date with what is going on in Worcestershire to improve oral health. Facebook
Campaigns
Mouth Cancer Action Month | Home | Oral Health Foundation
National Smile Month | Home | Oral Health Foundation
Family Fun & Info
The British Society of Paediatric Dentist has created some great videos to help families make toothbrushing fun. British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) > Kidsvids
Supervised Toothbrushing Tools
HOME | Supervised Toothbrushing Toolkit
Training Info for Professionals
Practical training materials for primary and secondary schools to use to train staff to teach about health and prevention.
School - Oral Health Townscape