In Luton, an area identified by Public Health England as one of England’s poorest for five-year-olds’ oral health, too many young smiles were at risk. To tackle this urgent need, ICD Section V Fellow and founder of the Dental Wellness Trust, Dr. Linda Greenwall, stepped up to lead the “Young Luton Oral Health Programme.” Working alongside the local poverty non-profit Level Trust, the project targeted a community where 16,000 children live below the poverty line.
As Dr. Greenwall notes, “Doing good is one thing, but doing the right good is essential.” To ensure they were doing the “right good,” she investigated the best ways to make a meaningful and sustainable difference. This process involved extensive consultation with public health experts and academic advisors to determine a strategy based on proven results. Following this expert guidance, Dr. Greenwall decided to focus on establishing toothbrushing programs in areas of high need, designed to mirror the success of similar oral health models already operating globally.
In addition to support from the Global Visionary Fund, the project received a £10,000 award from the Philip Dear Foundation and £63,500 from the Luton Council. This combined support provided the vital resources needed to fuel a comprehensive, transformative multiyear project.
The Dental Wellness Trust team embedded the “LiveSmart Supervised Toothbrushing Programme” directly into 57 schools. This effort began with pilot studies at Whipperley Infant School, where 4-5-year-olds established a daily routine of brushing after lunch. Complementing this daily routine, the Trust’s “Megamolars” and “Saving Kids Teeth” campaigns have provided oral health education to over 1,000 children. Furthermore, they mobilized over 100 family health workers and plan to train parents as “toothbrushing ambassadors” to ensure sustainability. By bringing education into schools, libraries, camps and homes, these efforts turned oral hygiene from a chore into a culture of health.
Seeing the profound shift in the community, Luton Council committed to an increased annual contribution of £85,000 to ensure this vital work continues.
