Is your child registered with a dentist?

A child should be registered with a dentist as soon as their first milk teeth appear, or by their first birthday at the latest. Early registration helps children become comfortable with the dentist, and allows for early identification of any oral health issues.

Key Dental Care Information for Children:

• First Visit: Take your child to the dentist when their first teeth come through, or by 12 months.
• Regular Visits: Children should see the dentist regularly, typically every 6–12 months, as recommended by the dentist.
• Free NHS Dental Care: NHS dental treatment is free for children under 18 or under 19 in qualifying full-time education.
• Registration: You can register your child with a dentist at the same time you register yourself or as soon as they are born

Why Early Registration Matters:

• Familiarity: It helps prevent fear of the dentist by making the environment familiar.
• Prevention: Dentists can provide advice on preventing decay and apply fluoride varnish, which is recommended for children over 3, or earlier if at high risk.
• Early Intervention: It allows the dentist to check the development of teeth and gums early, reducing the need for serious treatments later. 

If you are struggling to find a dentist, you can use the NHS find a dentist service to find local practices. 

Toothbrushing at School

We are proud to have been a pilot school for the Government’s supervised toothbrushing programme, introducing daily toothbrushing for all children in our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The scheme supports children in developing healthy lifelong habits and is part of a national initiative to improve children’s oral health and reduce tooth decay. Launched nationally in 2025, the programme provides training, resources, toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste for participating settings. Promoting good oral health is already part of the EYFS statutory framework. At Park Road Academy, we support children’s health and wellbeing through daily routines such as supervised toothbrushing.