More than 6,000 children across 113 schools in Gloucestershire have joined a new toothbrushing programme aimed at fighting tooth decay.
The initiative is part of the Big Brush Club, run by At Home Dental and funded by the NHS. Launched in 2024, the programme provides schools with free toothbrushes, toothpaste, and kits for children to use at home.
The scheme aligns with a government announcement made in March, pledging support for children in some of England’s most deprived areas. The goal is to reduce high rates of tooth decay by improving access to preventive oral care.
Jermaine Badman, a facilitator of the Big Brush Club, said the scheme is designed as a “preventative programme” to stop early cases of dental decay before they require treatment.
In the South West, more than 3,300 teachers and school staff have been trained as Oral Health Champions to support the programme in classrooms.
Among the schools taking part is Bream Church of England Primary School. Headteacher Nicky Brice welcomed the initiative and stressed the importance of teaching proper brushing techniques early.
“We all know children have to brush their teeth twice a day,” Brice said. “But there is a real technique to it. Good oral hygiene must start early. We also know that bedtime and getting ready for school can be stressful—this programme helps make those routines easier.”
Government data shows that 22.4% of five-year-olds in England have visible signs of dental decay. Tooth decay remains the leading cause of hospital admissions for children aged five to nine.
Facilitators Jermaine Badman and Chantelle Coles explained that the programme focuses on communities facing deprivation, where oral health outcomes are often worse.
“We teach children how to brush effectively,” they said. “It gives them independence and builds daily habits. The children become confident in what they need to do.”
In addition to working with schools, the Big Brush Club offers guidance for parents through online webinars. Parents are advised that children over the age of three should use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste, while those under three should use an amount the size of a grain of rice.