UK - City with worst tooth decay in children sees marked improvement

Children in Leicester are brushing their teeth once a day when at nursery.Photo: ITV News Central

• Written by ITV News Central Health Correspondent, Nancy Cole.

An East Midlands city, that has held the reputation for the worst children’s teeth in the country, has seen a marked improvement in tooth decay through an initiative to teach under 5’s how to brush.

Three years ago, more than half of all under 5's in Leicester were reported to have problems with their teeth.

An initiative called “Healthy Teeth, Happy Smiles” was launched and rolled out to nursery schools in the city and is beginning to see a healthy improvement.

Once a day during their time at nursery, toddlers and young children armed with a toothbrush partake in two minutes of supervised brushing.

90 nurseries across the city have signed up to the Leicester City Council programme to promote oral health early on.

The initiative was launched in 2014 after the city was named the worst place in the UK for tooth decay in children under the age of 5.

Data from Public Health England revealed 53% of under 5’s had decayed, missing or filled teeth. In contrast, to 28 per cent in the rest of the UK........