Due to Covid-19, toothbrushing was put on hold until further guidance.

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New update from October

Dear Head Teacher We realise that these are uncertain times and schools and nurseries will be settling into new routines and ways of working during the new school term. With this in mind I am writing to inform you that following discussions with your local authority education department, we are now in a position where we can remobilise the toothbrushing programme within education establishments.

In the coming weeks your designated Dental Health Support Worker will be making contact with your establishment to provide support and resources which will enable you to resume daily toothbrushing and oral health activities at a time that is suitable for you.

We look forward to discussing with you the most appropriate time for this; recognising the significant benefits to not only oral health but children and young people's short and longer term wider health outcomes.

The Childsmile Executive revised the toothbrushing standards in collaboration and consultation with colleagues at Health Protection Scotland, the Care Inspectorate, Early Years Directorate and the Chief Dental Officer. This addendum should be read alongside the existing toothbrushing standards and provides additional guidance specific to COVID19. Both are available here: child-smile.org.uk . As you will be aware this is an ever changing picture and these may need to be revised if the situation change. We hope to issue oral hygiene packs for home use, as usual, in academic year 2020-21. We are aware that any resources or letters that are to be sent home with children are required to be quarantined for 72 hours prior to this and we will endeavour to work with your establishment to coordinate this to avoid any disruptions.

Please note at present there are no immediate plans to resume the provision of fluoride varnish in target schools and nurseries. However, the Childsmile team are working on when and how this should be re-started.

If you have any queries or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards

Joanne Gallagher

Childsmile Coordinator-Aberdeenshire