A new oral health strategy has been launched in Blackburn with Darwen to help boost children’s teeth health in the borough.

The plans were launched by Blackburn with Darwen’s Public Health team at Ewood Park with help from local children, partners and a special appearance from Rover the Dog who gave his teeth a brush.

There was also a special video message from Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Nyambe, who announced the winners of a poster competition for primary school children in the borough. The winners, from The Olive School, Lammack Primary School and St Silas CE Primary School then had their posters specially printed and presented to them by Rover the Dog.

The winners will have their designs featured all over Blackburn with Darwen’s bus shelters, billboards and digital screens as part of a big campaign to raise awareness of good dental health.

There was also a performance from actor Gayle Knight of the book ‘Max’s Not So Sweet Dream’ which has been given to every primary school in the borough. Food Active commissioned the book which is a short story following a young boy on his quest for sugary food.

The Oral Health Strategy 2021-26 is part of ambitious plans over the next few years to improve oral health in young children and vulnerable people and crack down on high rates of tooth decay in the borough.

Blackburn with Darwen had the highest proportion of five year olds experiencing decay in England in 2018/19, with 51% of our five year olds having at least one decayed missing or filled teeth (DMFT). However, we are already making big steps towards better oral health, with our rates already down to 42% following a full survey in 2021

Good oral health has an important role in positive general health and wellbeing for children, vulnerable adults and the elderly.

Partnerships reaching across schools, healthcare, dental services, young people’s services, the community, voluntary and faith sector (CVF) and Public Health have been brought together to tackle the higher rates and make sure children, parents and carers are aware of the importance of teeth brushing and consuming less sugar to protect your teeth.

Public Health, along with Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, dental care provider AP Smilecare and Blackburn with Darwen Healthy Living, are already involved in a wide range of activities and initiatives across the borough.