Oral Health Insights Project

This service will deliver community insight and co-production activity to better understand the barriers and enablers to good oral health among families with children under five, particularly in relation to healthy diets and regular toothbrushing. Engagement will focus on priority and underserved groups, including CORE20PLUS5 communities, children with SEND, looked-after children and families living in deprived areas, with findings used to co-design accessible, equitable and community-led approaches to improving oral health outcomes across Bolton. The Authority has identified a gap in local insight regarding the barriers and enablers to establishing good oral health habits among families with children under five, particularly in relation to tooth-kind diets and regular home toothbrushing. The proposed programme will engage priority communities, including CORE20PLUS5 groups, to gather community insight and support the co-design of accessible, equitable and community-led solutions to improve oral health outcomes. It is proposed that the provider delivers this work through an established network of community partners, which provides direct access to the identified priority groups, including Eastern European, South Asian, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, children with SEND, looked-after children, and families living in deprived areas. The engagement and co-production approach requires a provider with strong, trusted relationships and established community reach. This approach will ensure meaningful engagement with the target communities and support the development of locally informed oral health interventions.