Children across all 325 primary schools in mid and south Essex are getting more than just maths and English on the timetable — they’re now learning vital lessons in dental care, thanks to a new NHS-backed initiative bringing dentists into the classroom.
In a bold move to tackle tooth decay — the number one reason children aged five to nine are admitted to hospitals locally— dental practices are partnering with schools to deliver oral health education, carry out in-school dental checks, and offer access to NHS treatment for children and their families.
NHS Mid and South Essex has launched the initiative to provide early intervention and better access to dental care and oral health education to children and families, helping them to build healthy oral habits from an early age.
A national survey of five-year-old school children in 2024 reported 26.9% of children nationally, and 16% of children in mid and south Essex, had enamel or dentinal decay.
The oral health checks being carried out in primary schools will identify pupils who need further dental assessment or treatment. As part of the initiative, the pupils, their siblings and parents, will have access to appointments at a local dental practice assigned to the school, if they do not already have a regular dentist, to ensure they can get the care they need.
William Guy, Director of Primary Care at NHS Mid and South Essex said: “We know that supporting our children and young people to build healthy habits from an early age is important to set the foundations for a lifetime of good oral health.
“We are pleased to be working with local dental practices to deliver this programme in schools across mid and south Essex which will help improve children and families’ access to dental care and oral health education, and which will help to prevent more serious health risks associated with poor oral health from developing.”
Poor oral health can affect children’s overall physical and mental health and can negatively impact their development by missing school days due to dental pain and infection.
Experiencing tooth and enamel decay at an early age can also set children up for a lifetime of dental problems that are associated with serious health risks including diabetes, heart problems and strokes.
The participating dentists will also provide oral health education sessions in schools to teach good oral habits such as brushing techniques, and understanding which foods have high sugar content posing the greatest risk of tooth decay.
Mrs Rowe, Headteacher of Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School in Halstead, said “These dental visits have been incredible. It’s made the idea of going to the dentist far less daunting for the children and they have gone home full of facts they learnt about how to keep their mouths healthy and what snacks contain the most hidden sugar.
“Most importantly, it’s reassuring for families that they’ll be able to easily access treatment through the dental practice if they need it.”
Hannah Nurse, Lead Dental Nurse and Oral Health Educator at the Essex Dental Clinic, a participating practice, said: “Our visits to the schools include interactive education sessions, which get the pupils involved in learning about how they can look after their teeth.
“These sessions give the children time to feel comfortable with our team, so that they are confident to allow us to perform a visual mouth check, known as the ‘lift the lip’ technique. The mouth checks let us identify signs of tooth decay and problems that may need a full dental check-up or treatment.”
Familiarisation sessions delivered in the dental practices provide children with a positive and interactive introduction to the dental practice environment, helping to reduce anxiety and overcome dental phobia. By allowing children to explore various aspects of a dental visit in a relaxed setting, they become more comfortable with the sights, sounds, and sensations they may encounter during an actual appointment.
This initiative is part of work in mid and south Essex helping more residents of all ages to access NHS dental services.
Find out more about dental initiatives in mid and south Essex