07 Jan 2019 Kind to Teeth ‘Parent Champions’ training project funding granted!
We are pleased to announce that Food Active has been granted funding to develop a Parent Champions training programme, as part of our Kind to Teeth campaign launched in May 2018 to help promote healthier drink choices in the under-fives.
The project will be working with a range of stakeholders across two local authorities in the North West, Knowsley and Rochdale, of which both experience disproportionately higher levels of childhood obesity and tooth decay.
Poor dental health is associated with deprivation (Knowsley and Rochdale are 2nd and 17th respectively on the IMD 2015) and data shows that 42.3% and 47.1% of five-year olds in Knowsley and Rochdale respectively suffer from dental decay. This compares to 33.9% in the North West and 23.3% across England.
Poor dental health impacts not just on the individual’s health but also their wellbeing and that of their family. Children who have dental decay may have pain, infections and difficulties with eating, sleeping and socialising. Children who have toothache or who need treatment may have to be absent from school. Oral health is therefore an important aspect of a child’s overall health status and of their school readiness and this project will address oral health issues at an early stage, helping more children to fulfil their potential.
The project will involve training up a number of parent champions, who will be asked to engage with parents at structured events based in community centres, but also when out and about in the local community – reaching parents in playgrounds, markets, libraries, community events and local play groups – this gives them a unique opportunity to interact with parents in an informal setting.
If you would like to find out more about the project, please contact beth.bradshaw@foodactive.org.uk
