Concern about children's teeth in Sheffield as pandemic hits dental services

Dental health experts are concerned about children's teeth after a number of schemes were severely impacted by the pandemic.
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Parents of young children are given toothbrushes, toothpaste and advice through a number of programmes but they have all been paused because of Covid.

Prof Zoe Marshman, a consultant in dental public health, told a Sheffield Council scrutiny meeting: "The oral health promotion activities have been severely impacted in terms of the work we're doing in schools and nurseries.

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"We used to have thousands of children at hundreds of tooth brushing clubs across Sheffield but we're no longer able to do that.

Dental health experts are concerned about children's teeth because of the pandemic in Sheffield. Picture: Press AssociationDental health experts are concerned about children's teeth because of the pandemic in Sheffield. Picture: Press Association
Dental health experts are concerned about children's teeth because of the pandemic in Sheffield. Picture: Press Association

"We're looking at restarting those as soon as it's safe to do so. We've been working with food banks and the healthy hamper programme to get toothpaste and toothbrush packs out to families but it has all been really restricted.

"Health visitors give families tooth brushing packs and training in oral health and we have plans in place to get the clubs back up and running just as soon as we can."

Sarah Robertson, also a consultant in dental public health, said there had been a lot of focus on patients not being able to access dental treatment but prevention was also critical.

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"There were a number of programmes happening through the oral health promotion team. The toothbrushing clubs are currently on pause but we hope to resume oral health training for health professionals and health visitors," she said.

"There's also been a lot of interest around water fluoridation and I think at this time, where there are so many challenges around access to dental care, we really need to be thinking about ensuring prevention is optimal and doing all we can there.

"I'm keen to reinforce that dental services aren't the answer to sorting out the whole issue of tooth decay and poor oral health. There is a prevention element as well."

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