Issue - meetings

Susan Lloyd, Public Health Consultant, presented the Oral Health Strategy which identified the oral health issues that affect children and adults in the Borough and set out the ambition to improve the oral health of residents.  The strategy also set out the key priorities, which had been devised with partners through an oral health partnership group.  The strategy included encouraging people to visit the dentist on a regular basis, improved diets and reducing the consumption of sugary food and drinks, oral hygiene and preventative dental care as well as increasing exposure to fluoride through toothpaste and varnishing.  There were added health benefits from better diet as well.

Susan explained that the Borough had a high level of tooth decay in children, and that although this had improved over recent years, it was still higher than the London average.  On the plus side 94% of adults have 21 or more of their own teeth, which was the level considered as a ‘functioning mouth’.

Tooth brushing and wider education programmes would be undertaken.  This included 7,000 children receiving a toothbrush and education linked to the ‘Child Smile’ Programme.

It was noted that the programme would cover all early years settings in the Borough.

The Board were delighted with the report and the evidence based simple and practical initiatives, which could have a positive impact for low cost.  The Chair stressed that the pester power on parents from a child being provided with a ‘funky toothbrush’ and their teacher encouraging its use should not be under estimated. 

Anne Bristow reminded the Partners that all contact with parents should count.  If the programme results in a parent(s) and child going to a dentist, then they would be more likely to keep going.  The effect on Partners should not be underestimated as on average over 300 children from LBBD were admitted to hospital for dental treatment each year, so improved dental health would help BHRUT pressures as well.

The Board:

(i)  Approved the Oral Health Promotion Strategy, attached at Appendix A to the report; and

(ii)  Agreed the next steps, as set out at section 6 of the report.