1 in 4
children age 5 have dental decay
Oral health
The local healthy lifestyle survey of primary school children (years 5 and 6) shows: - 69% brush their teeth the recommended twice a day - 76% rinse after they brush (this is not recommended) - 39% have a filling - 28% have had a tooth extraction
The local healthy lifestyle survey of secondary school children (years 7 to 11) shows: - 75% brush their teeth the recommended twice a day - 80% rinse after they brush (this is not recommended) - 43% have a filling - 35% have had a tooth extraction
As was highlighted in last year’s annual report levels of dental decay in children is a concern in Darlington. Local data is being used to inform the development of a oral health promotion strategy for Darlington, which will identify local actions to improve the oral health of our residents. The the work of the Integrated Care Board [external link], as commissioners of NHS dental services, will also be vital to these efforts and will complement the oral health promotion work happening in Darlington.
We also know that one of the main reasons for hospital admission in children and young people in Darlington is poor oral health, with tooth extraction related to tooth decay the most performed surgery on children and young people. In most cases this is preventable.
In March 2025 it was announced that a national programme of supervised toothbrushing [external link] would be rolled out to 3 to 5 year olds in early years settings. At the same time the government also confirmed plans to expand community water fluoridation across the North East.
The oral health team in Darlington already support settings to implement supervised toothbrushing. Over the last year the public health team have used this opportunity to work with our nurseries and schools and the oral health team to increase the number of settings offering supervised toothbrushing. Some settings have even extended the offer to other year groups, based on identified need.
The supervised toothbrushing scheme is not a replacement for brushing at home, but an evidence-based programme to improve oral health in children and give them the skills and knowledge to carry out this task at home.
Improving oral health locally across the life course is a priority for us, we will take this work forward with partners and services. How we will do this will be described in the oral health strategy, but the work has already started for children and you can find out more about this work in practice at Darlington Xtra - Oral Health in Darlington [external link]