Scarborough, Eastfield and Bridlington to host children's oral hygiene events this February half- term
Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership is gearing up for the return of ‘Top Tips for Tiny Teeth’, with multiple events taking place across the Yorkshire coast this week.
The children’s oral hygiene initiative initially started out as a social media campaign. However, this February half term, NHS and local authority teams will be taking the campaign on the road to Scarborough, Eastfield and Bridlington, with further events being planned for Easter throughout the Humber and North Yorkshire region.
The aim is to improve oral health for children aged 0–7 by:-
- Raising awareness of good daily brushing habits
- Educating families on the benefits of strong oral hygiene
- Explaining what to do when urgent dental care is needed
‘Top Tips for Tiny Teeth’ will be at Scarborough Library between 10am and noon on Wednesday February 18, More Than Books at Eastfield Community Hub from 2pm to 4pm on the same day, and The Promenade Shopping Centre in Bridlington between 10am-1pm on Friday February 20.
The aim is to directly engage with parents and carers, helping to identify common barriers to good teeth brushing routines, dispel myths, and reinforce key oral health messages.
Every young visitor will receive a free dental health kit along with a brushing reward chart to help build positive daily habits at home.
Recent national data highlights the importance of these community-based efforts. The latest survey of five-year-olds in England found that 22.4% have experienced tooth decay, despite it being almost entirely preventable.
North Yorkshire Council’s director of public health, Louise Wallace, said: “Too many children are still experiencing avoidable dental problems at a very young age.
“Daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste, reducing sugary snacks and drinks, and regular dental check-ups make a huge difference – but many families face challenges in putting this into practice.”
Teams will also provide clear guidance on how to access urgent dental care, recognising rising concerns among parents about where to turn when a child develops tooth pain or needs emergency treatment.
Debbie Leadbetter, NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) dental programme lead, said: “We know parents want the best for their children, and sometimes small changes can have the biggest impact.
“By bringing this campaign directly into our communities, our goal is to ensure families have the tools, knowledge and confidence to support healthy smiles from the very start.”