The Big Brush Club program is extending its base across Cornwall. It’s an effort to improve kids’ oral health by educating them on the importance of everyday tooth brushing. NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB This campaign was developed to reach children between the ages of three and five. They intend to implement these supervised tooth brushing programs in approximately a dozen additional schools across the tri-county region.
With these changes the expanded program will reach thousands of children in Cornwall. Bugle School not far from St Austell will be closely involved with this exciting new venture. The Big Brush Club are committed to ensuring all children in this age bracket feel confident to brush their teeth twice a day. This collective effort is an important step in addressing the dangerous increase of cavities among young kids in the region.
Bugle School was recently visited by Dr Chris Reid, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB. He engaged with staff and saw firsthand how they have started putting the Big Brush Club program to work. He stressed the need to set positive dental practices at a young age.
“Teaching good brushing routines from an early age helps reduce oral health inequalities among children.” – Dr. Chris Reid
This renewed emphasis on pre-dental education follows some alarming figures. A 2022 government report found that nearly a fifth of five-year-olds in the South West have experienced tooth decay. The Big Brush Club scheme does a great job of addressing this problem. It goes a long way towards teaching young children proper dental care in the first place.
Chantelle McKernan, deputy headteacher at Bugle School, spoke about what she had noticed since the installation and how it was making a difference. She noticed a marked increase in students’ understanding of healthy dental practices. It was through the scheme that they learned the significance of brushing their teeth twice every day.
Reena Patel, a consultant in dental public health at NHS England, is enthusiastic about the initiative’s aims. She highlighted the importance of not just toothbrushing but reducing sugar intake and fostering lifelong good habits at home.
“The Big Brush Club is about supporting children and parents at an early stage to reduce sugar intake and create good habits at home that can last a lifetime.” – Reena Patel
The Big Brush Club scheme is a smart response to tackling poor oral health in the under-fives across Cornwall. The initiative includes detailed guidance and training on tooth brushing. In doing so, this program will help produce healthier futures for thousands of children and lead to less tooth decay in the community.
