New oral health and toothbrushing service launches across West Northants

01 October 2026

A new oral health improvement service is launching across West Northamptonshire today, helping children, families, communities and adult care settings develop healthier habits and improve their dental health.

East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust has been awarded the contract by West Northamptonshire Council following a competitive procurement process. The service will focus on oral health education, prevention, supervised toothbrushing programmes and support for education and care settings, particularly in communities where poor dental health outcomes are more common.

Through training, advice and practical resources, the service will support health, care and education professionals to promote good oral health, helping children establish healthy habits early in life while also addressing the oral health needs of vulnerable adults.

Targeted early years settings and primary schools will receive support to deliver supervised toothbrushing programmes, helping children build positive daily routines and reducing the risk of tooth decay.

The service will also provide toothbrush and toothpaste packs through health visitors and other community settings, giving families the tools and information they need to establish positive oral health routines from the earliest stages of life.

Dental Services Manager Nicola Jeffrey said: “We are delighted to be delivering these important new services across West Northamptonshire. Good oral health is a vital part of overall health and wellbeing, yet too many children and adults experience preventable dental problems.

"By working with early years settings, families, adult care settings and community partners, we have an opportunity to support healthier habits from an early age and improve oral health outcomes across the population.

"This preventative approach will help people stay healthier for longer and contribute to reducing health inequalities across West Northamptonshire."

The Trust is a member of the Northamptonshire Oral Health Alliance and will work closely with partners across health, care and local government to improve oral health outcomes for local communities.

Councillor Laura Couse, Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Public Health at West Northamptonshire Council, said: "Good oral health is about much more than healthy teeth. It affects a child's confidence, wellbeing, ability to eat, sleep and learn, and it plays an important role in health throughout life.

"Too many children are starting school with preventable dental problems, and too many adults continue to experience poor oral health that could have been avoided with the right support. 

"These new services are about getting the basics right early. By supporting families, schools, early years settings and care providers with practical advice, education and supervised toothbrushing programmes, we can help children develop healthy habits that last a lifetime.  

Prevention is always better than treatment. By working alongside our NHS partners and local communities, we can reduce health inequalities, improve people's wellbeing, and give every child the best possible start in life whilst supporting healthier, more independent lifestyles."

Poor oral health can have a significant impact on people's wellbeing, affecting eating, speaking, sleeping, confidence and overall health. By focusing on prevention and education, the new services aim to reduce inequalities and improve oral health for people of all ages.

The contract starts on 1 October and form part of a wider commitment to improving population health through prevention, early intervention and partnership working.