Oral Health
Our Supervised Toothbrushing Programme
At our nursery, we are proud to take part in the Government’s supervised toothbrushing programme. This daily activity helps children develop healthy brushing habits from an early age in a fun, positive and supportive environment.
Each day, children brush their teeth using fluoride toothpaste under the supervision of trained staff. The programme follows national guidance to ensure it is safe, hygienic and suitable for young children. To help support the children's independence, the toothbrushes are colour coded. The 2-year-old groups use symbols to identify their own brushes and the 3-year-old groups use numbers to identify their own brushes.
To help make toothbrushing engaging and enjoyable, we also use the popular “Hey Duggee Tooth Brushing Song” during our sessions. The two-minute video encourages children to brush for the dentist-recommended amount of time while making the routine fun and interactive.
You can watch the video here:
Hey Duggee Tooth Brushing Song
Why is toothbrushing so important?
Tooth decay is one of the most common health problems affecting young children in England, but it is largely preventable. Research shows that regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste helps to protect children’s teeth and supports lifelong oral health habits.
Poor oral health can affect a child’s:
Ability to eat comfortably
Sleep and concentration
Speech and language development
Confidence and wellbeing
Dental problems are also one of the leading causes of hospital admissions for young children.
By taking part in the supervised toothbrushing programme, we are helping children:
Learn good oral hygiene habits early
Understand the importance of caring for their teeth
Reduce the risk of tooth decay
Build confidence with independent self-care routines
How the programme works
Children brush once a day at nursery using age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste and individually stored toothbrushes. Staff supervise the sessions carefully and follow strict hygiene and infection control procedures in line with Government guidance.
The programme complements brushing at home and encourages families to continue healthy oral care routines twice a day.
Helpful information for parents
We encourage all families to support good oral health at home. You can find more information here:
Together, we can help children develop healthy habits that will benefit them for life.
