Blackhall Primary School and Nursery Unit are being rewarded for helping children of pre-school age care for their teeth.

Children will be given special healthy teeth award toothbrushes when their school is presented with the Healthy Teeth Award at a ceremony on Monday 2 February 2009.

The Healthy Teeth Award has been developed as part of the national programme aimed at targeting foundation stage children (under 5s). The aims of the award are to help reduce tooth decay in young children. Statistics show that 53% of young children have tooth decay in the Easington locality.

Within the area of County Durham, the needs of the local population can be quite diverse. Therefore by developing this award using positive achievable steps towards tackling health improvement within schools, allows an ideal opportunity for partnership working.

Under the awards scheme, schools are encouraged to use a range of learning opportunities and active play to promote awareness among small children about caring for their teeth. These were centered on three main elements, namely: • To help reduce tooth decay in young children • To raise awareness of the very strong link to healthy eating and good dental health • To reinforce the importance of regular, thorough toothbrushing for young children with the support of an adult.

The event will see young children in the nursery using large scale props, such as toothbrushes and teeth to show how to brush their teeth correctly. The children will engage in role play and will also learn how to brush their teeth in a fun and interactive session.

Sandra Laws, Project Lead for the NHS Oral Health promotion Team, said: “The Healthy Teeth Award is aiming to educate everyone who is involved with the care and welfare of young children (parents and educational staff) as well as the children themselves.

“Early intervention of healthy eating habits along with regular toothbrushing with the help and support of parents in particular, and visits to the dentist will all go towards helping children to have healthy teeth as a child and with continued good practice will have healthy teeth as an adult too.”

Julie King, Oral Health Promotion Lead, added: “This is Blackhall Primary School’s first year at receiving the Healthy Teeth Award. The nursery unit who has successfully met the required criteria for the award was already showing evidence of good practice, especially where healthy eating is concerned. The children could clearly recognise healthy snacks and drinks which would have a positive effect with their oral health, this is all thanks to the dedicated staff at the school.

“I would like to congratulate the school on receiving this award and to the many children who have played a part in the scheme, who will now have the prospect of healthier teeth as they grow up.”

Mandy Wilson, Nursery Teacher at Blackhall Primary School, said: “It is thanks to schemes of this nature that children can learn to protect their teeth from an early age and can also be shown that looking after your teeth can be both simple and fun.

“The oral health promotion team has been working with us and parents to promote healthy eating and to ensure that children are aware of healthy options in foods and drinks and to make the changes that will enable them to grow up having healthy and hygienic teeth free from dental decay.”