Free toothbrushes and toothpaste on offer in Wolverhampton to help improve kid's oral hygiene
The city's public health team estimate as many as one in five five-year-olds have symptoms of tooth decay
Families in Wolverhampton are being invited to pick up free children's toothbrushes and toothpaste from locations around the city over the next few months in a bid to improve oral hygiene in young people.
It's part of a drive by the City of Wolverhampton Council and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.
The council and the NHS have also teamed up to develop an online toolkit to help promote good oral health.
Free child specific toothbrushes and toothpaste are available from Central Library, the Best Start Family Hub in Graiseley, WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams, WV Active Central and WV Active Aldersley.
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the council's Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: "Tooth decay is the most common oral disease affecting children and young people in England, yet it is largely preventable.
"Poor oral health can make it harder for children to be ready for school and can lead to them missing lessons because of tooth pain or infection. It can affect their ability to eat, smile and spend time with others, which can harm their confidence and wellbeing.
"It also puts extra pressure on emergency dental services. Nearly 90 per cent of hospital tooth extractions in children under five are caused by preventable tooth decay.
"We want to give every child the healthy smile they deserve and are delighted to be working with the NHS to make free toothbrushes and toothpaste available to families across the city, particularly those who are struggling with the rising cost of living.”
Growing demand for help with the issue
The authority's public health team said they've noticed a growing demand for support with oral hygiene and offer of free children's toothbrushes.
Senior public health specialist, Ryan Hollings, told us it's estimated as many as one in five children at the age of five in Wolverhampton have signs of tooth decay.
"In some areas, this is even higher with, one in four, potentially one in three children in some locations," He added.
"So what we obviously are trying to do with the initiative is target these localities to ensure that, again, children are having access to, again, essential resources."
Around 1,300 children are taking part in oral hygiene programmes in schools in the city, on top of the free toothbrushes that can be accessed.
Health Improvement Officer Lindsay Walker said it's important people know there's help on offer if they're struggling.
She said: "It's just to make sure that those resources are there and available for families to access for their children, because we do know that as part of the cost of living at the moment, it's an issue for some families to be able to either put heating on or get shopping for food.
"So, to have those resources available for good oral hygiene is always a positive."