This report updates the Health and Well-being Board on the work of the Oral Health Improvement Partnership Board since the last report to Board (September 2022).

HarpalAujla (Consultant in Public Health) presented the update on the work of the oral health improvement partnership board. The key points included:

1. The Oral Health Improvement Partnership Board aims to deliver on the recommendations made in the Health Needs Assessment published in 2019.
2. The board was restarted in 2021 and meets quarterly and is chaired by the Public Health consultants.
3. Key areas of development are good activity at system level including new dental service called the ‘golden hello’. For children and young people, the ‘Time to Shine’ programme continues to improve children’s oral health and a ‘Brush, Book, Bed’ pack has been made available via libraries and aims to give every child aged 3 a pack including a toothbrush and book.
4. However, decay in children aged 5 has risen from 33.6% in 2012 to 38.7% in 2022.
5. There are areas which could be focused on for further improvement including fluoride varnishing and fluoridation of the water supply.

Simon Trickett added that the golden hello initiative will provide two new dental services in Herefordshire. It was asked whether water fluoridation could be discussed further.

The Director of Public Health noted that water fluoridation would be beneficial to improving children’s oral health but that there was not enough clarity on how this can be achieved.

The Chair commented that rural areas of Herefordshire whereby public transport is limited, getting to a dental practice is very difficult. The use of a mobile dental unit could be used to help those who find it difficult to travel to dental practices.

Stephen Brewster asked if there was a correlation to the childhood obesity data in terms of whether the hotspots are the same.

The Director of Public Health responded that there was not enough evidence to suggest there was a direct correlation. This is an area that can be followed up going forward.

The Leader of the Council asked if there was any focus on drinks other than water that may be harming oral health and what advice is being given to families.

The Director of Public Health answered that some work is being done regarding the development of the healthy setting standards for early years and the wider promotion of healthy drinking.

The Chair asked whether it was still the case that fluoride varnishing is offered in dental practices and whether that is sufficiently publicised as available.

HarpalAujla responded that it fluoride varnishing is still being offered and carried out by dental practices.

The Director of Public Health added that, in terms of publicising fluoride varnishing, this would need to be taken away and looked at by the Oral Improvement Partnership Board.

Christine Price (Healthwatch) asked Simon Trickett of the ICB whether there are opportunities for commissioning different ways of providing services which aren’t traditionally seen by dentists.

Simon Trickett commented that dentistry was commissioned nationally until 1^st April 2023 when it was devolved down to local level. The incentive to help with set up cost was part of creative thinking associated with the ‘golden hello’ scheme. Dental access can be improved but the other elements of the plan such as fluoridation of the water supply is vital.

In addition to the report recommendations which were proposed, seconded, and approved unanimously, it was resolved that fluoride varnishing be brought to the oral health improvement board and to look into the correlation between childhood obesity data and oral health.

Resolved that:

That members of the Health and Well-being Board:

a)    Note the progress of the Oral Health Improvement Partnership Board;

b)    Continue to support and deliver Herefordshire oral health action plan. (Appendix 1)

c)    Support work to explore fluoridation of the water supply in Herefordshire.

d)    That fluoride varnishing be brought to the oral health improvement board.

e)    To look into the correlation between childhood obesity data and oral health.