Thematic Toolkit padlet - Oral Health by NCC Partnerships, Schools and Communities team

PSC_Training — 2023-11-28 14:20:46 UTC

Understand what oral health is and the possible indicators.

PSC_Training — 2023-11-28 14:20:46 UTC

Access step-by-step guidance on how to respond when a CYP is identified as having poor oral health.

Flowchart - Responding to concerns about oral health

PSC_Training — 2023-11-28 14:20:46 UTC

Follow this short flowchart to identify your immediate actions if you have concerns about the oral health of a CYP.

If you would like to talk to a member of our inclusion team for additional support and guidance, please call 01603 307736.

PSC_Training — 2023-11-28 14:20:46 UTC

A collection of FAQs around oral health from school colleagues, with guidance provided by public health, NHS colleagues and NCC inclusion advisers.

How can we support families?

PSC_Training — 2023-11-30 10:28:35 UTC

You can find lots of guidance within our Whole School Approach guide about how best to support your families including signposting links.

Make sure that your families have someone they feel they can talk to in schools about any worries including oral health.

A good place to signpost families to is Just One Norfolk. Just One Norfolk provides lots of information and guidance for families around oral health including on toothbrushes and toothpaste, young children’s teeth, older children and teenager’s teeth, oral health for children with additional needs and visiting the dentist.

What should we be teaching about oral health?

PSC_Training — 2023-11-30 10:31:53 UTC

CYP should learn about healthy eating, risks of tooth decay from a poor diet as well as about dental health and the benefits of good oral hygiene through the RSHE curriculum.

The Whole School Approach guide outlines what should be covered within the RSHE curriculum in relation to oral health as well as signposting to high quality resources which can support delivery of these key messages.

How can we support CYP with additional needs?

PSC_Training — 2023-11-30 10:34:44 UTC

Please see guidance below on how to support CYP with their oral health who may have additional needs:

Key indicators of poor oral health

PSC_Training — 2023-12-04 15:45:11 UTC

This is not an exhaustive list but highlights some of the indicators you may see with poor oral health:

Unpleasant breath
Toothache; pain can range from mild to severe
Sensitivity to hot or cold foods or drinks
Sensitivity to sweets
White or brown spots / staining on the teeth or discolouration
Cavities
Infection or abscess
Sore gums

How can I promote good oral hygiene in my setting?

PSC_Training — 2024-01-25 15:13:14 UTC

Good oral hygiene can be promoted in many ways through your ethos and environment, policy, curriculum and through support provided to CYP and families.

Please see further guidance on how to take a whole school approach to oral health.

How can I effectively engage families to develop awareness of the impact of poor oral hygiene, and to understand the difference they can make at home?

PSC_Training — 2024-01-25 15:13:30 UTC

Support families to engage with the topic of oral health through giving lots of opportunities for staff to talk with families about, and involve them in, improving their children’s oral health. For example, opportunities might arise at parents evenings, open days or by encouraging parents and carers to get involved in developing the school food and drinks policy.

Provide signposting from trusted sources which promote positive oral health:

Just One Norfolk provides lots of information and guidance for families around oral health including on toothbrushes and toothpaste, young children’s teeth, older children and teenager’s teeth, oral health for children with additional needs and visiting the dentist.
The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry have put together a A Practical Guide to Childrens Teeth which can be shared with families and is available in other languages too.
Community Dental Services provide many videos for sharing with families.
Parents guide to-oral health for children with a learning disability and autism
Information and tips for maintaining oral health in children with autism
Guidance on how to support children with sensitivity to food

Make sure that families feel as though they have someone in the school or setting they can talk to for support around oral health as well as other health or wellbeing concerns.

How can I build good oral hygiene practice into the curriculum, everyday routines and provision in our setting?

PSC_Training — 2024-01-25 15:13:41 UTC

There are many ways this could be built into your everyday practice and provision. Some EYFS examples include; dentist role play, toothbrushing dolls & toys, brushing model teeth, stories and discussion, visits with dentists, supervised toothbrushing programmes.

PSC_Training — 2024-01-25 16:41:17 UTC

The Inclusion and SEND Team supports mainstream settings with training, advice and guidance on Inclusion and SEND provision.

If you require any support, please call 0333 313 7165 to get in touch with one of our advisers. This phone line is open on weekdays, from 9am to 5pm.

If your query relates to training, please email sendandinclusiontraining@norfolk.gov.uk