Dudley Council is expanding its successful Community Toothbrush Scheme to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in an effort to combat childhood tooth decay.
Over the past 18 months, the council’s oral health team has distributed nearly 70,000 free toothbrush packs to children across the borough. The initiative, designed to promote better oral hygiene, provides specially designed three-headed toothbrushes, non-foaming, flavorless toothpaste, and a range of accessible learning materials, including visual guides, flashcards, and step-by-step instructions.
Building on this progress, the program will now extend to children with SEND through pilot initiatives at The Brier School, Woodsetton School, Pens Meadow School, and the Netherton Inclusion Hub.
The official launch took place last Friday at The Brier School.
Councillor James Clinton, cabinet member for public health, emphasized the importance of oral health:
“Tooth decay remains the leading cause of hospital admissions for children in England. Through this initiative, we are providing children with access to essential dental care resources to help prevent decay. This SEND-focused expansion is among the first of its kind in the region, and if successful, we hope to extend it to all special schools later this year.”
Councillor David Stanley, cabinet member for children and young people, highlighted the scheme’s impact:
“Since October 2023, we have distributed nearly 70,000 toothbrush packs to children in areas with high rates of tooth decay. Extending the initiative to children with SEND is a crucial step, as many of these young people experience challenges with oral care. The oral health team has worked closely with families and professionals to develop practical, tailored solutions to support them.”
Miss Rosie Hatton, senior assistant headteacher at The Brier School, praised the initiative:
“We are honored to take part in this fantastic program. Both staff and students fully embraced the day, and our students were delighted to receive their toothbrush packs.”
With positive feedback and potential future funding, Dudley Council hopes to expand the initiative to benefit even more children with additional needs, ensuring better oral health outcomes across the borough.
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