Childsmile

Childsmile is a national programme to improve the dental health of children in Scotland. There are four main elements:

A Core Toothbrushing Programme - provides supervised nursery toothbrushing for all children aged 3 upwards.  This includes both Local Authority and private nurseries. Primary schools in targeted communities are also offered daily supervised toothbrushing in Primary 1 and 2.  Toothbrush, toothpaste packs and drinking cup together with health information is given to every child between birth and 1 year.  In addition every 3 and 4 year old child receives a toothbrush and toothpaste pack twice a year with Primary 1 pupils receiving a pack annually. 

Childsmile Practice - promotes oral health from birth, particularly amongst people living in priority areas.  Parents of newborn children who are assessed to be at risk of developing tooth decay are referred to the programme by their Health Visitor.

Childsmile Nursery - is targeted at children in Forth Valley who would benefit from additional preventive care.  This additional care will take the form of twice yearly fluoride varnish applied to children's teeth by Childsmile Teams in the nursery.  The Childsmile Teams will also delivery oral health promotion and health education advice.

Childsmile School - is targeted at children who will benefit from additional preventative care. This additional care will take the form of twice yearly fluoride varnish applied to children's teeth by Childsmile Teams in the school.

The Community Dental Service employs a team of Childsmile workers and Oral Health Promoters who are responsible for oral health education and Childsmile development in Forth Valley.  For further information regarding any element of Childsmile please contact Fiona Rodger, Oral Health Improvement Team Leader.

Early Years programme 2008 - 2009

Aim - through joint work and key partners, increase levels of oral health promoting behaviours in Early Years across Forth Valley.

• Provide free oral health packs ( toothbrush / toothpaste / drinking cup/ information leaflet) to all babies and toddlers at high risk of disease across Forth Valley via Health Visitors and other health professionals.
  
• Provide twice yearly toothbrush / toothpaste packs to all 3 and 4 year old nursery pupils across Forth Valley in partnership with Local Authorities.
  
• Provide annual toothbrush / toothpaste pack to all Primary 1 pupils across Forth Valley.
  
• Joint working with community dietician and local Authority Early Years teams to support the implementation of Nutritional Guidelines for the Early Years
  
• Liaise with appropriate agencies to develop oral health and nutrition input into current support provision for vulnerable families

Child Oral Health Pack 0-3 years

Toothbrush, Toothpaste and Information Leaflet and Drinking Cup distributed to all babies in Forth Valley

 Child Oral Health Pack 3-6 Years

       Toothbrush, Toothpaste and Information Leaflet             distributed to all nursery and primary 1 children in Forth Valley