Talking Early Years: In Conversation with Linda Greenwall
Listen to June O’Sullivan talk candidly with Dr Linda Greenwall – founder of the charity, Dental Wellness Trust about the urgent need for free supervised tooth brushing programmes to be implemented across Early Years settings and schools.
According to the latest figures by the Local Government Association which show nearly 45,000 hospital operations were performed to remove children’s rotten teeth during 2018/19 as a result of tooth decay and high sugar diets – never has there been a more pertinent time to address this preventable crisis.
Although tooth decay does not discriminate, it is strongly associated with deprivation and social exclusion says Dr Greenwall. This was made worse during 2020 when dental practices were forced to shut and many children were unable to attend appointments as well as their nursery. Alarmingly, almost three-quarters of children have not seen a dentist since the start of last year – despite recommendations that children have annual check-ups.
Better dental hygiene taught at an early age will have long term benefits for children’s teeth, fewer nursery days lost and better overall health and wellbeing of our children.
