Supervised Tooth Brushing

Descriptions

The programme being commissioned from the Supplier is delivery of a supervised toothbrushing programme targeted at 3 to 5 year olds within early years settings (including pre-schools, day nurseries, children's centres, maintained nurseries and independent nurseries) in the most deprived wards.

The programme shall involve the following elements:

• A communication plan to ensure good uptake of the programme across the target settings

• Assessment of the suitability of settings to deliver the programme

• Identification of a designated programme lead responsible for overall delivery of the programme in each setting

• Development of a protocol in accordance with national guidance for each setting to deliver the programme

• Staff training to ensure all staff in each setting are trained in key messages around oral health promotion, healthy weight and dental access and how to deliver a supervised toothbrushing programme in a safe and effective way - including supervision of children while brushing, using an appropriate and effective toothpaste and toothbrush, and correct brushing technique; as well as protocols for infection control/prevention management including maintaining a storage system for brushes

• Supply of age-appropriate toothbrushes and toothpaste packs to settings and other resources to enable settings to deliver the programme and ensure a high uptake, such as promotional material - with supplies to settings renewed at regular intervals to enable them to maintain the programme on an on-going basis

• Support to early years staff to obtain consent from parents (such as clear and standardised consent form; guidance on responses to frequently asked questions; other support on a case-by-base basis, based on needs articulated by the settings)

• On-site oral health promotion support to settings as they initiate their programmes to support with early challenges in programme implementation

• Promoting oral health messages to parents to enable regular tooth-brushing to continue at home as well as importance of healthy eating and regular dental visits

• Reinforce promotion of healthy eating, as well as policies on healthy snacks and 'water only' within target settings to support wider Local Authority work, and signpost interested setting to Health Early Years London

• Response to ad hoc queries from settings in a timely manner to support delivery of the programme

• Quarterly quality assurance visits to each setting to ensure standards of health and safety and programme effectiveness are being maintained; and support to settings on a case-by-case basis to put improvements in place, visiting more frequently as needed

• Establishment of a monitoring framework to collect data from each setting on programme consent and uptake, submitting data as required to the Commissioner

• A baseline and follow up survey with staff at each setting to monitor changes in knowledge and behaviour around oral health improvement, using validated tools

• A baseline and follow up survey with parents at each setting - to monitor changes in knowledge and behaviour around oral health improvement, using validated tools.

Note, unless the Council gives written notice of termination, the Contract will automatically renew each year after the Initial Term for up to 4 additional 1 year periods, for a maximum total contract duration of 5 years.