Healthy teeth and happy smiles for Swindon pupils

Supervised toothbrushing sessions are being delivered by 19 schools across Swindon, including Greenmeadow Primary.

This week, children at Greenmeadow had a special visit from Bob the Badger, who taught them how to practice good brushing and keep their mouths nice and clean. As part of the Big Brush Club, dental experts bring supervised brushing sessions directly into the classroom with participating schools provided with free toothbrushes, toothpaste packs and tips for healthy habits.

‘Big Brush Club' is commissioned by the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB and delivered by mobile dentists, At Home Dental, who carry out supervised tooth-brushing sessions in Swindon’s classrooms. Teachers are also equipped with full training and provided with supplies of free toothbrushes and toothpaste packs to promote daily brushing routines both at school and at home. The sessions also share tips for healthy eating and self-care.

The scheme is supported by Swindon Borough Council as part of the mission to Build a Fairer Swindon, which includes a commitment to reduce health inequalities by improving children’s health and wellbeing.

Tooth decay affects a quarter of young children, with those living in deprived areas disproportionately affected. Tooth extractions for children aged between five and nine in Swindon are 50 per cent higher than the South West and England averages, highlighting the urgent need for improved oral health education and prevention.

Extra support has been provided to Swindon schools for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, ensuring that children with additional needs equally benefit from the programme. A key message of the campaign is that prevention is better than cure, with daily tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste shown to reduce prevalence of tooth decay.

Kate Mackinnon, Headteacher at Greenmeadow Primary School, said: “Children learning to brush their teeth at school is a wonderful way for Year 1 to develop their independence and take responsibility for their personal hygiene.

“It’s great to hear from the children that they are using their at-home dental care packs confidently and understanding the importance of keeping their teeth clean both at school and at home.”

Councillor Paul Dixon, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, said: “This scheme is a fantastic example of how small changes can make a big difference.

“By teaching children the importance of daily brushing, we’re not only preventing tooth decay but also setting them up with lifelong habits that improve their health, confidence, and quality of life.

“We’re proud to see schools in Swindon embracing this initiative, which directly supports our commitment to improving children’s health and reducing inequalities.”

Further information about the programme is available on the Big Brush Club website: https://bigbrushclub.co.uk.