From Tooth Decay to Confidence: Supporting Parents in Oral Health Education

Over the next few weeks at FAcT, we’re running a series of sessions aimed at supporting parents with children aged 0-5. These sessions will cover topics like oral health, accessing services, and navigating the education system. Each session is led by a professional expert, followed by a group discussion where parents share what they’ve learned, what they’ve been able to put into practice, and what further support they need.

The first session took place last week and focused on Oral Health, led by Louise Mclean (Oral Health Promoter - Community Dental Services). It couldn’t have been more engaging.

But we started with a difficult fact:

Harrow has the worst rates of tooth decay for children under 5.

That’s a hard reality to face. Many of the mothers attending the session were already aware of this and wanted to know how to access support and take proactive steps to address childhood tooth decay.

Louise was fantastic. She explained the different types of tooth decay, how to access support for your child, and pointed the group toward further resources. She also discussed the impact tooth decay can have on a child’s confidence, especially if they’re embarrassed about their teeth. Her presentation was informative and engaging, highlighting how important community efforts are in tackling the issue. Louise shared how Camden successfully addressed its own tooth decay problem by running a twice-yearly fluoride application programme in schools. Although Harrow has begun toothbrushing sessions in schools, it’s clear more needs to be done. The parents’ high level of engagement showed they understood this and were eager to get things right.

One particularly interesting part of the session was when parents of children with SEN asked about the challenges of brushing their children’s teeth. Louise shared practical advice and introduced a ‘super brush’—a three-headed toothbrush designed for children with SEN. Parents were able to speak to Louise about their individual concerns, which was greatly appreciated as many had struggled to get detailed advice during dentist appointments.

Today, the group met again for a post-session chat. A few parents who hadn’t attended last week joined in, and those who were there shared what they had learned and what changes they had made. It was a chance for parents to reflect on their new knowledge and discuss how they had talked to their children about teeth. One mum said she had inspected all her children’s teeth, which led to a fun conversation with them about the importance of brushing. Another mother shared how she used the 'superbrush' with her son and recommended it to others.

The discussion was vibrant and informative, a true example of the power of community engagement and creating spaces for learning and exchange. There was a wonderful flow of information and a warm openness to the insights shared by others in the group.

It was a privilege to be part of this group.

Later, three mums headed to the kitchen to make chapatis to go with Aghileh’s now-famous dahl. As the delicious smell of dahl and chapatis filled the room, the mums sat together, eating and chatting about their aspirations. Many spoke about the qualifications they were pursuing and the jobs they were seeking. It was beautiful and empowering to hear them encouraging one another, smiling widely, and supporting each other as they shared hopes for the future.

It was a perfect example of how oral health is not just about protecting our children’s teeth—it’s also about feeling confident to smile and communicate freely without barriers.

*This session was made possible by funding from Octavia.