An initiative has been launched to promote good oral health in young children.

Smile Squad, supported by the Liverpool University Dental School, offers free dental health checks for young children in the St Helens borough.

These checks are conducted by dental students, supervised by experienced lecturers, as part of a mission to enhance early childhood oral health in the community.

The initiative comes in response to tooth decay being the most frequent cause of hospital admissions for children aged six to ten.

Children from poorer communities are more likely to suffer from poor oral health, compared to those from affluent areas.

The event will take place at Sutton Family Hub on Ellamsbridge Road on Tuesday, November 26 from 10.30am until 2.30pm.

The Smile Squad event will feature children's characters and interactive sessions for pre-school-aged children and their families.

The City Health Care Partnership will provide an educational demonstration on effective tooth brushing techniques, and families attending will receive a take-home pack with toothpaste, a toothbrush, and essential oral hygiene information.

Ruth du Plessis, St Helens Borough Council’s director of public health, said: "Smile Squad aims to be an accessible, educational, and fun opportunity for local families to take proactive steps toward improving their children’s oral health.

"Join us in creating bright smiles and healthy habits for life."

The Smile Squad will return each school term to the borough’s other family hubs, extending access to preventative dental care for local young children.

Poor oral health in children causes an average of three missed school days each year, potentially affecting their academic performance and future potential.

In 2021-22, over 31 per cent of five-year-olds in the borough had visible signs of tooth decay, higher than the national average of 23.7 per cent and the North West average of 30.6 per cent.

Visit the NHS website for more information.