Almost 9,400 children are being supported in daily supervised toothbrushing across Cheshire and Merseyside thanks to the All Together Smiling programme.

All Together Smiling is a supervised toothbrushing programme, supporting children aged 2 to 7. It is available in eligible settings situated within Cheshire and Merseyside’ 20% most deprived communities.

Almost 200 settings already taking part

Almost 200 eligible settings such as early years, childminder, and primary schools are already taking part in the programme. The target is for a minimum of 262 taking part, which would be 50% of eligible settings.

Through All Together Smiling young people in the eligible setting receive structured supervised and toothbrushing sessions. There is also the targeted provision of free oral health packs containing a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, and oral health key message leaflet for families.

Feedback

Feedback from local parents about the difference the programme has made at home includes:

“My child has always been reluctant to brush their teeth at home but since doing the supervised toothbrushing at nursery, it has become much easier and is no longer a battle to get him to brush at home.”

"We have really benefited from this programme, my child comes home very excited and shows me how he brushes his teeth in class, he enjoys brushing his teeth now."

“I used to fight with my child to get them to brush their teeth and now they allow me to brush their teeth with them.”

Locations taking part

Locations taking part in All Together Smiling have said: 

“I feel this is such a positive initiative. As practitioners working with young children and families, we assume that things like toothbrushing is part of every child's routine, but quite often it is not. We have always tried to promote toothbrushing within our setting...I feel being a part of this will reinforce the importance for our families.”

“It will benefit children that may not be brushing their teeth as regularly as they should be, and it will allow staff members to encourage healthy toothbrushing habits.”

“Children taking part in supervised toothbrushing in the nursery reinforces the importance of oral health and how to brush teeth properly... doing this with their peers encouraged children who are more reluctant.”

New settings are welcome on board to take part in the scheme and help ensure it meets its target of 262.

Anyone wanting more information on the programme or to see if their setting is eligible to take part, should can contact the programme at alltogethersmiling@alderhey.nhs.uk.