Oral health case study

Little Adventurers Nursery, Havering

Goals

Understand the importance of good oral health for children’s health and wellbeing outcomes and improve the oral hygiene of children in our setting.

What we did

• undertook oral hygiene training, and appointed an oral health champion to lead on good practice and the case study
• created an action plan of key aspects we wanted to improve
• supervised each child as they brushed their teeth at the setting

We also

• ordered supporting resources, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, 2-minute timers and storage racks
• consulted our nutritionist to ensure optimum calcium provision in our menus, to support strong teeth
• kept parents informed of best practice in the home via our monthly Parents Forum and newsletter

Results

• children are better able to look after their teeth and have learned more about the importance of good oral hygiene
• children have a better knowledge of foods that contain calcium
• staff and parents are more able to support children towards good oral hygiene

Next steps

Toothbrushing and strong oral health remain key aspects of the nursery’s wider provision for each child’s health and wellbeing. Staff continue to report improved understanding and attitudes towards toothbrushing and oral hygiene across all age groups in the setting. The nursery will continue to find ways to support children’s oral health along with broader aspects of healthy lifestyles to encourage optimum physical and emotional health and wellbeing.

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