HAC6132 - Supervised Toothbrushing Targeted Programme

Deliver a targeted supervised toothbrushing programme for children aged 3-5 years old who live in areas with the greatest deprivation. Improve oral health outcomes for children, build lifelong good oral health habits and decrease health care spend on preventable dental health issues in childhood.

Justification for contract duration: Government funding has only been guaranteed for one year. After this time we are planning to combine the supervised toothbrushing and fluoride varnish programmes into one contract starting in September 2026 Impact: Despite being largely preventable, tooth decay remains the most common oral disease among children and young people in England (PHE 2019)[1].

Oral health plays a critical role in children’s overall wellbeing and development, impacting not only their physical health but also their ability to sleep, eat, speak, play and socialise with other children. Poor oral health can lead to missed school days due to dental pain, affecting children’s learning, development, and school readiness.

It is estimated that nationally at least 60,000 days are missed from school during the year for hospital extractions (OHID 2022)[2]. There are also wider implications for families, as parents may need to take time off work to attend dental appointments with their children.

Introducing a supervised toothbrushing programme aims to: Reduce the incidence and prevalence of decayed missing and filled teeth (DMFT) in the target population Increase the proportion of children free from dental caries/decay Improve the overall oral health status of vulnerable children from low income households with the overall aim of reducing health inequities Support children to develop good oral hygiene habits resulting in improved lifelong oral health Support children's right to the best possible standard of health under the UN Convention on the Rights of Child, as endorsed by our local Accelerate! Tower Hamlets Children and Families Partnership Strategy 2024-2029

Government guidance requires the programme to be delivered by a suitable community dental provider, such as NHS Community Dental Services, the market for which is limited both nationally, and locally in the London region. Following the PSR ‘Most Suitable Provider’ process, we are intending to undertake a market engagement event to identify the most suitable provider and expect to be able to directly award this new contract following this event.