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Centres of religionConsider approaching local centres of religion/faith to reach a wider audience. An example of this is the “Smiling with the Prophet” project in Bradford. This project raised oral health awareness in mosques, introducing the Prophet Mohammed as a role model to encourage young children to look after their teeth and eat well.
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Poster campaignsConsider advertising information about the programme through public advertisement, such as banners on buses, at bus stops, and across available poster-stands. Also, in places where families and people who work with young children and families are likely to visit such as the local library, swimming pool, children’s centres and supermarkets. Consider if you need to provide posters in additional languages to address potential language barriers.
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Health visiting teamsWork with health visiting teams to coordinate information, raising awareness of supervised toothbrushing programmes to new parents, and offering information to them.
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Link with other campaignsConsider approaching other healthy lifestyle campaigns, to coordinate work and spread information more widely. An example of such a campaign is the GULP (Give Up Loving Pop) campaign which raises awareness on the negative impact sugar has on teeth and overall health.
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School initiativesConsider finding existing health/oral health initiatives to help raise awareness of the Supervised Toothbrushing Programme. There are several initiatives already in place across different areas of the country, such as ‘Book, Brush, Bed’, which seek to instil healthy and regular routines.
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Social mediaBeing very active on social media about the supervised toothbrushing programme raises awareness for parents, settings within a particular area, and opens up possibilities for shared peer-to peer learning.
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Local magazine or newspaperConsider raising awareness through your local magazine or newspaper. You can advertise the presence of the programme or engage the community through local competitions. One such example is where a provider liaised with the local council and local supermarket to advertise a summer colouring competition of toothbrushes and toothpaste. The local councillor decided the winner, and in collaboration with the supermarket, they were provided with a fruit hamper, toothbrushes and toothpaste as a prize.
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Involve local library servicesIf possible, provide local libraries with the funds to send local nurseries/schools a resource box and discuss the possibility of providing all 3-year-olds a book on toothbrushing.
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Community buildingLiaise and build partnerships with family agencies supporting families such as charities, food banks, local farms, etc. Provide them with oral health training so everyone is giving consistent messaging.
Home Toothbrushing
Even if your child has joined a supervised toothbrushing programme at their nursery/school/childminder/, it is still important for your child to brush their teeth at home.
Here are some helpful tips on how to brush your child’s teeth at home:
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Brush all surfaces of the teeth and gumline in small circles for about 2 minutes, just before bedtime and at another time during the day that fits with your routine.
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Children under 3 years old should use a smear of toothpaste containing no less than 1000ppm fluoride.
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Children aged 3 years old and over should use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste containing 1350-1500ppm fluoride for maximum prevention.
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Most ‘own brand’ supermarket toothpastes and family toothpastes are suitable and affordable.
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Encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste. Do NOT rinse with water. Rinsing washes away the fluoride so it can’t do its job.
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Parent/carer’s should assist with toothbrushing until their child is at least 7 years old. Sitting your child on your knee or standing behind them and cradling their head while brushing are some of the positions you can use to brush your child’s teeth effectively.
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Allow babies to play with a toothbrush from an early age, this will help them to get used to the feel of it in their mouth.
Children with SEND (Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities) may need more opportunities to play and explore toothbrushes and toothpaste. Allow your child to do this to try and find the products your child likes