NICE calls for schools to help children brush their teeth

Schools and nurseries need to take a proactive role in helping children brush their teeth regularly and effectively, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

The latest public health guidance from the regulator has called for local authorities to consider introducing supervised tooth-brushing and fluoride varnishing schemes in areas where children are at high risk of poor oral health.

Strategies should be based on local needs assessments, with public service environments – such as schools – promoting oral health and dispensing advice, while better dental care should also be promoted in the workplace.

Additionally, frontline health and social care staff should be given training in this area, in order to combat trends that are leading to rising rates of tooth decay, gum disease, tooth loss and mouth cancer.

Professor Mike Kelly, director of the Centre for Public Health at NICE, said: "We know from Public Health England that there are wide regional differences in oral health. The situation is bleak for many adults as well as children in disadvantaged areas."

This comes after a study published in the British Dental Journal earlier this year suggested that the effectiveness of dental advice is being undermined by a lack of consensus on the best toothbrushing technique.