Designed to Smile monitoring report 2024 to 2025

32.4% of 5-year-old children in Wales have experienced tooth decay. Children living in more disadvantaged areas can be twice as likely to have decay and to have three times as many teeth affected. The Designed to Smile programme works to prevent tooth decay and reduce health inequalities.

• Oral health training was provided to 253 health visitors and students and 1,570 other childcare, health and social care professionals.
• 37,333 toothbrushing home packs and 16,433 feeding trainer cups were distributed to families by health visitors at Healthy Child Wales scheduled visits.
• 60,586 children participated in a supervised toothbrushing programme at 667 nurseries and 557 schools. Average parent/ carer consent rate to participate was 88%.
• 4,012 nursery and school staff received training from the Designed to Smile team to deliver their toothbrushing programme.
• 3891 quality assurance visits were conducted during the year and 82% of settings and 82% of settings reported brushing every school day.
• 164,678 toothbrushing home packs were distributed at nurseries and schools to children participating in Designed to Smile, to encourage toothbrushing twice a day at home.
• 677 settings facilitated visits by Designed to Smile dental professionals to apply fluoride varnish to children’s teeth.
• 30,614 children received two applications in the year and 12,228 children received one application. Average parent/carer consent rate to participate was 77%.