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Designed to Smile monitoring report 2025 to 2026

Details:

Published on: 12th November 2026

27.2% 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 twice as many teeth affected. The Designed to Smile programme works to prevent tooth decay and reduce health inequalities.

  • Oral health training was provided to 375 health visitors and students and 921 other childcare, health and social care professionals.
  • 33,372 toothbrushing home packs and 11,626 feeding trainer cups were distributed to families by health visitors at Healthy Child Wales scheduled visits.
  • 58,206 children participated in a supervised toothbrushing programme at 677 nurseries and 537 schools. Average parent/ carer consent rate to participate was 88%.
  • 3,566 nursery and school staff received training from the Designed to Smile team to deliver their toothbrushing programme.
  • 3803 quality assurance visits were conducted during the year and 80% of settings reported brushing every school day.
  • 162,939 toothbrushing home packs were distributed at nurseries and schools to children participating in Designed to Smile, to encourage toothbrushing twice a day at home.
  • 694 settings facilitated visits by Designed to Smile dental professionals to apply fluoride varnish to children’s teeth.
  • 30,148 children received two applications in the year and 11,860 children received one application. Average parent/ carer consent rate to participate was 75%.

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