Celebrating the launch of The Tooth Family are pupils from Bilston CE Primary, St Mary’s Catholic Primary Academy and Eastfield Primary schools with Helen Bird from Eastfield Primary School, Kirsty Walton and Rachel Lewis from St Mary’s Catholic Primary Academy, Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, Stephanie Wooton from Bilston CE Primary School, Laura Ceaser-Kennedy from The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, and Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community
A new storybook has been launched designed to bring a smile to young readers’ faces, while also teaching them the importance of good oral health.
Pupils from local schools worked with the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Public Health team and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust to create The Tooth Family, which tells the story of The Tooth Family on a fun filled adventure to the dentist.
Toothy feels a little nervous about his check up, but with encouragement from his family and the friendly dentist, Dr Floss, he soon learns there is nothing to fear. Along the way, Toothy discovers the secrets to keeping his teeth strong and healthy by brushing twice daily and eating the right foods.
The book seeks to not only highlight the importance of regular brushing, but also help children feel confident about visiting their dentist for regular check ups.
Copies of The Tooth Family will be distributed as part of Early Years packs given out by health visitors, and copies will also be available from local libraries and dentists.
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “Encouraging good oral health in our children is vital as tooth decay starts early in life – and those that have high levels of disease in their first teeth have an increased risk of disease in their permanent teeth.
“Fortunately, most decay and oral diseases can be prevented or managed by healthy behaviours such as enjoying a healthy balanced diet and cleaning teeth and gums effectively, and so making sure children have access to effective and age appropriate dental products is essential.
“That’s where The Tooth Family come in – they will help teach children and families develop good habits in a fun and engaging way.”
Councillor Jacqui Coogan, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, added: “With colourful illustrations and a heart warming story, The Tooth Family will help children feel more confident about dental visits while teaching them the importance of good oral hygiene.
“Its creation highlights the power of partnership working to achieve the best possible outcomes for children’s oral health, and I would like to say a big thank you to pupils and staff from Eastfield Primary, Bilston CE Primary, Wodensfield Primary and Pennfields schools and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust who have helped us develop the book.”
The launch of the book coincides with National Smile Month, which is now underway. Several initiatives are taking place across the city, with dental packs being distributed via health visitors for toddlers and school nurses for reception age pupils, as well as across Early Years settings for all 3 to 4 year olds. These have received positive feedback from parents, with one saying some children do not even have a toothbrush at home.
Meanwhile, families can pick up free toothbrushes and toothpaste from locations around the city, including Graiseley Strengthening Families Hub, Pool Street, Blakenhall, WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams, WV Active Central and WV Active Aldersley, and from Central, Wednesfield and Warstones libraries. Simply call in during normal opening hours.
National Smile Month, organised by the Oral Health Foundation, runs until 12 June, 2025 and is the UK’s biggest oral health campaign. For more information, please visit National Smile Month.