Agenda item

Report of the Director of Public Health

The Director of Public Health submitted a report (previously circulated) requesting that the draft Darlington Oral Health Promotion Strategy (2026-2029) (also previously circulated) be reviewed and considered.

The submitted report stated that good oral health is an important part of someone’s overall health and wellbeing and oral health promotion is part of the public health responsibilities of the local authority.

It was reported that the Oral Health Promotion Strategy sets out a vision for a future where everyone has the knowledge, resources and support to maintain good oral health throughout life, recognising that prevention is far more effective and less costly than treatment; and that the priorities set out in the strategy are based upon the principles of prevention, addressing inequalities and collaboration, taking a life course approach. Reference was made to the priority areas of the strategy.

Members were advised that the strategy had been developed in partnership with others through the establishment of an Oral Health Alliance, which included public health and wider council colleagues, NHS services such as the oral health team, 0-19 service and stop smoking service, the primary care network, health watch and voluntary and community sector representation and the delivery of the strategy would also support the work of the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, which has responsibility for dentistry services.  

Members extended their thanks to officers and discussion ensued regarding the importance of messaging around sugar content in drinks and the benefits of water fluoridation; Officers agreed that further work was required in relation to comms for sugar intake and informed Members that a school food working group and a comms plan would run alongside the strategy.

Members sought clarification regarding the programme of work for older adults in the community; and questions were raised in relation to monitoring the effectiveness of the strategy. Members noted that performance would be monitored by the Oral Health Alliance who have oversight of and review the plan on a page annually, in addition to the self-reported data in the Healthy Lifestyle survey and data relating to damaged/missing/filled teeth and hospital admissions for extractions.

Following a question regarding the supervised toothbrushing scheme, Members were advised that self-reporting had identified a number of benefits, including improved toothbrushing in the home environment, speech and language and attendance at school.

RESOLVED – (a) That the Oral Health Promotion Strategy be reviewed.

(b) That Members comments and feedback on the Oral Health Promotion Strategy be received.