Oral health in the Early Years
Tooth decay is a significant, yet largely preventable, public health problem in the UK. It affects people at all stages of life and is the most common oral disease in children.
The Oral Health Alliance has published its agreed referral pathway as a guide. It is very important children are able to access the pathway when in Reception year. Permanent or ”grown-up” teeth can start to appear when children are age 5-7. The first permanent molars come through at the back of the mouth and no baby teeth are lost to allow it to appear. This means parents are often unaware that their child has permanent molars and they can get missed when teeth are being brushed. These teeth are really prone to decay and often have to be extracted.
Access to the pathway would give parents the information and support they need to prevent this happening.
Information from the Family Support Service
The Emerging Needs teams of Hertfordshire’s Family Support Service offer the oral health pathway for children who have been identified by Public Health Nursing, their GP or dentist, their school or Early Years Provider. Referrals can be made via the referral portal and will be picked up by one of the Emerging Needs team, who will make contact with the family; *please note that consent from the family must be obtained before making the referral.
The team will work with the family along one of three pathways that best meets their needs:
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1 Children under age 2. One to one support providing information and resources together with a place on a targeted course such as Little Chefs or Little Learners. |
2 Children between 2 and 5 years. One to one support providing information and resources together with a place on a targeted course such as Little Chefs or Young Explorers. |
3 Individualised one to one support for the family; Suitable for children in full time education. Primary schools can access the animation provided for this age group to show children how to brush their teeth. They can contact their School Nursing team or FCS for more details on 0300 123 7572 |
Working together, the Hertfordshire Family Centre Services (this includes the Public Health Nursing Service) and Hertfordshire County Council are improving the oral health of vulnerable under 5’s, preventing tooth decay, improving oral hygiene and promoting healthy eating.
Hertfordshire Healthy Mouths programme distributes oral health packs (a toothbrush, toothpaste, timer, oral health leaflet) to vulnerable families with children under 5. We do this through Health Visitors at one and two year development reviews and key contact networks and case lists. Oral health packs are also now being distributed to foodbanks and those in temporary accommodation.
The Family Support Service also has resources that Early Years providers can borrow and dental packs as part of the Healthy Mouths project. An Oral Health presentation is also available for EY providers to share with staff teams as a refresher of key messages. Please contact us on 0300 123 7572 for further information.
This presentation has been kindly shared by OneYMCA Family Support Service, for your use in staff oral health training.