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¿ìߣÊÓƵ Prepares to Launch 'Brighter Smiles' – A Supervised Toothbrushing Commitment Across Primary Schools to Tackle Oral Health Inequalities

2nd July 2025

¿ìߣÊÓƵ (WAT) is preparing to launch its "Brighter Smiles" supervised toothbrushing programme in partnership with the NHS. Today, Early Years teams met at Manor Way Primary Academy in Halesowen to train teachers in readiness for this significant new initiative. The "Brighter Smiles" programme, which will see daily supervised toothbrushing for all early years pupils across WAT's primary schools, will be delivered in a phased approach. This initiative directly addresses oral health inequalities and promotes lifelong healthy habits.

"At ¿ìߣÊÓƵ, our core purpose is to unlock every student's academic and personal potential. We firmly believe that a child's health is intrinsically linked to their ability to thrive in school and in life," said Van Willerton, Head of Community Development at ¿ìߣÊÓƵ. "The 'Brighter Smiles' programme is a tangible demonstration of our civic commitment, working hand-in-hand with health partners to make a real difference where it matters most – at the very start of a child's educational journey."

The "Brighter Smiles" programme is a collaborative effort, partnering with the "Brilliant Brushers" programme led by Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, and supported by other NHS Trusts across the West Midlands region. This initiative aligns with NHS England’s Core 20 Plus 5 strategy for children and young people, focusing on reducing health inequalities.

Recognising that not all WAT schools fall within NHS priority areas for direct funding by Brilliant Brushers, ¿ìߣÊÓƵ has made a firm pledge to self-fund the programme for those schools outside of these areas through the WAT Community Foundation. This ensures equitable access for all WAT primary pupils, regardless of postcode, reflecting the Trust’s unwavering commitment to every child in its care.

The WAT 'Brighter Smiles' central team, comprised of Van Willerton (Head of Community Development), Adele Reynolds (WAT Executive PA), and Lisa Buffery (Headteacher - Manor Way and Trust-wide Lead for Early Years), will coordinate provision to the self-funded schools (Colley Lane, Greenways, Manor Way and Tenterfields). Staff training and Quality Assurance (QA) guidance for all participating schools will be delivered by Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, followed by regular QA visits from the Brighter Smiles team. Meanwhile, Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust is already coordinating ‘Brilliant Brushers’ delivery to eligible WAT schools in North Staffordshire (Milton), and Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust will coordinate Brilliant Brushers implementation for eligible WAT schools in Walsall (Goldsmith and Rivers) in the next phase of rollout.

The aims of the "Brighter Smiles" programme are clear:

• To promote lifelong good oral hygiene habits in early years pupils through daily supervised toothbrushing.

• To prevent early tooth decay and improve children’s overall well-being and confidence.

• To reduce school absences due to dental issues and appointments.

• To engage families in oral health education to encourage at-home care.

• To address oral health inequalities in alignment with NHS England priorities.

"It's truly wonderful to see 'Brighter Smiles' coming to fruition," commented Lisa Buffery, Headteacher at Manor Way Primary Academy and Trust-wide Lead for Early Years. "For our youngest learners, good oral health is so fundamental to their well-being and their ability to engage fully in all aspects of school life. As part of the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework, promoting oral health is a key responsibility for our schools. By equipping our Early Years and Key Stage 1 teaching staff with the knowledge and confidence to deliver daily supervised toothbrushing, we're not only fostering healthy habits, but also building their confidence and ensuring they feel great about their smiles. It’s about giving every child the best possible start."

"This initiative represents a strong example of integrated partnership working between the education and health sectors," added Van. "By collaborating with our NHS partners, we are fostering positive, long-term outcomes for our young people and strengthening the communities we serve. This is civic leadership in action, building sustainable pathways for better health and educational attainment."