NHS SCW CHIS team promotes healthy starts in Bath and North East Somerset by providing oral health packs to give out in early years vaccination clinics.
Challenge
Inequalities in vaccination uptake are evident in childhood immunisation, with children from more deprived areas experiencing lower vaccination rates for diseases such as influenza and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). According to the World Health Organisation, vaccination is recognised as the most effective public health intervention after clean water.
In Bath and North East Somerset (BaNES), the local authority collaborates with NHS SCW Child Health Information Service (CHIS) and NHS BSW ICB to identify areas with low vaccination uptake and develop initiatives to increase coverage. The council, ICB and local GPs planned a series of visits to early years settings in their most deprived areas to improve vaccination rates in 2- and 3-year-olds.
Oral health is also key public health focus and a clinical priority for children's health in the Core20PLUS5 approach.
What we did
NHS SCW currently provides Child Health Information Services (CHIS) to 32% of the 0-19 population in England. A core part of the service is creating additional social value through its work, supported by an established social value fund.
CHIS funded 250 oral health kits for 0-4 year olds in BaNES to help promote oral health while improving vaccination uptake. The packs included a toothbrush, toothpaste and a leaflet about good oral hygiene.
In November 2024, a Vaccine Inequality Officer from BaNES Council joined practice nurses and outreach vaccinators in attending five venues in Twerton, including nurseries and a baby and toddler group, to offer the flu vaccine.
The team applied the Make Every Contact Count (MECC) approach to distribute the toothbrushing packs and inform parents/carers about the importance of oral hygiene in early childhood. Some parents were unaware that teeth should be brushed twice a day or that children can receive support from a dentist, even if it is just for a check-up.
Activity
Health Improvement and Inequalities
Promoting dental hygiene and vaccination in areas with high deprivation supports public health initiatives.
Behaviour Change
Encouraging healthy behaviour through outreach support and activities.
Improving Immunisation Uptake
MECC (Make Every Contact Count) by promoting oral hygiene while vaccinating children.
Impact
The children who received the toothbrushing packs can now brush their teeth regularly to help prevent dental problems. The children mentioned their enthusiasm about starting to use their toothbrushes.
The gifted toothbrushing packs helped to facilitate positive interactions between the nursing staff and parents where oral health was discussed as well as administering vaccinations to keep children healthy.
