Devon schools roll out NHS toothbrushing lessons to boost children’s oral health

A new three-year oral-health programme is being rolled out across Devon’s primary schools, with St Sidwell’s Primary School in Exeter among the first outside Plymouth and Torbay to take part. 

The initiative, funded by NHS Devon, will offer supervised toothbrushing lessons to all Year 2 children aged six and seven in schools that sign up.

The funding package means schools will receive sessions at no cost for the next three years. 

National estimates suggest that for every £1 spent on supervised brushing programmes, the NHS saves £3 in avoided treatment costs which is equivalent to more than £34 million over the next five years. 

NHS Devon says the investment will free up resources for other patients while helping prevent avoidable dental procedures in children.

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Jonathan Bouwer-Davies, local dentist and Clinical Dental Adviser for NHS Devon, said the programme gives children an essential life skill. 

He described supervised toothbrushing as a “cost-effective, evidence-based intervention proven to improve children’s oral health” and added that the funding will help reduce health inequalities by supporting children in the most deprived areas.

Known as Open Wide and Step Inside, delivered by oral-health educators from Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise, St Sidwell’s Primary School has taken part in the programme.

The session includes a 15-minute animated film, a two-minute brushing song and an interactive quiz, all designed to support Key Stage 2 learning while teaching good brushing habits. 

Pupils also receive home packs with toothbrushes, toothpaste, timers and storybooks to reinforce the messages.

Parents at St Sidwell’s said the lessons are already opening conversations at home. 

One local mother said her daughter “came home reminding everyone how much sugar is in snacks and insisting we all brush for two minutes,” adding that the school’s involvement “makes the whole thing feel more normal and fun for the kids.” 

Another resident living near the school said it was encouraging to see “something practical being done to help families who struggle to get dental appointments.”

Karen Burn, Oral Health Educator and Dental Outreach Team Lead, said expanding the project across Devon marks “an exciting moment” for the team. 

“The feedback from Plymouth schools has been amazing and we’re already seeing the same enthusiasm in Exeter,” she said. 

“Raising the importance of better oral health is our goal and this project is making a real difference.”

The programme also complements the Big Brush Club, which supports younger children aged three to five in nurseries and reception settings.