Free toothbrushes for Liverpool children

Tens of thousands of free toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste will be given out to children in Liverpool to tackle tooth decay.

Liverpool City Council will receive more than 40,000 toothbrushes and nearly 40,000 tubes of toothpaste in July to distribute to children.

It is part of a five-year government plan to tackle the problem nationally by donating kits to deprived areas in England - including in areas of Cheshire and Merseyside, where 31% of five-year-olds experienced tooth decay.

Prof Sondos Albadri, paediatric dentistry consultant at Alder Hey hospital told BBC Radio Merseyside: "Getting toothbrushes and toothpaste to families saves children from the operating table."

"Unfortunately tooth decay is a disease of inequality," Albadri said.

"The poorer you are, the more likely you are to get tooth decay, and that is why it's really important we support families to ensure that they're getting the help they can to do the best for their children.

"As a consultant in paediatric dentistry, I see children as young as three needing 16 to 20 teeth removed under general anaesthetic, and this is almost entirely preventable.

"Liverpool's figures remain among the worst in the country, with a third of our five-year-olds still affected by tooth decay, well above the national average."

She added: "That is why this programme matters.

"No child should lose their teeth before their fifth birthday."

As well as toothbrushes, a supervised toothbrushing programme All Together Smiling is being rolled out in early years settings and primary schools across Liverpool, to help children aged between three and five to learn positive brushing habits.

More information about applying for free dental equipment for a child can be found by contacting the public health team at Liverpool City Council.

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