Norfolk dentist says children should be given free toothbrushes to improve oral hygiene
The Hygiene Bank has found that over 4 million people in the UK can't afford basic toiletries
A dentist in Norfolk is telling us that children should be given free toothbrushes, as part of a wider plan to improve their dental health and oral hygiene.
It's as the Hygiene Bank has found that over 4 million people in the UK can't afford basic toiletries, with a quarter of children experiencing this poverty seeing their oral hygiene worsen over the last year - and one in five children missing school because of it.
This research from this national charity has also found that two thirds of parents experiencing what's called 'Hygiene Poverty', which means they're having to chose between buying things like toothbrushes and paste for themselves or their children.
"That can be passed onto their children"
Dr Andy Bell works in Gorleston and told us what poor dental hygiene can result in: "Dental decay, which can lead to tooth-ache and unnecessary loss of a tooth.
"Or it could be something like gum disease, where the support around the tooth is lost and you could then lose a tooth that way.
"These kids who are suffering now, will go on to have children of their own.
"If their knowledge, education and experience with diet and oral hygiene isn't good, accompanied with a bad experience with dentistry, that can be passed onto their children - something which creates another cohort of problems."
Dr Bell says some local work is going a long way: "In Norfolk, community dental services and another group called 'The Happy Smiles Club' go out to schools to teach them about how to brush their teeth.
"They also screen children and pick up cases early on.
"The issue there is then fitting a child in for treatment, if they need it."
What's the Government doing to help?
In their manifesto,The Labour Party unveiled a 'Dentistry Rescue Plan' which said they would:
-Fill the gap of appointments with an extra 700,000 urgent and emergency dental appointments a year
-Flood dental deserts with new dentistry graduates, with golden hellos of £20,000 for those who spend at least three years working in underserved areas
-Supervised toothbrushing for 3- to 5-year-olds, to prevent children forced to hospital to have their rotting teeth pulled out
-Reform of the dental contract, to rebuild NHS dentistry and make sure everyone who needs a dentist can get one.