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Liverpool City Council is marking World Oral Health Day on 20 March 2026 with renewed dedication to enhancing the oral health of children, cutting down sugar consumption, and offering support to families throughout the city. This campaign draws attention to the critical role that oral health plays throughout every phase of life. A healthy mouth not only contributes to overall wellbeing but also affects nutrition, speech, learning, social confidence, and healthy ageing.
The global theme for 2026, “A Happy Mouth is a Happy Life,” emphasizes the necessity of maintaining oral health from early childhood through to old age. It highlights how a healthy mouth benefits the entire body, enriching everyday experiences such as sharing meals, conversations, and laughter with family and friends. Liverpool’s Public Health Team remains committed to advancing oral health, working through school programs, community projects, and family-centered initiatives aimed at lowering sugar intake and preventing tooth decay to ensure children grow up with healthier smiles.
Despite these efforts, tooth extraction continues to be the most frequent hospital procedure for children aged five to nine at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. This stark fact underscores the importance of raising awareness about the hidden sugars in everyday foods and beverages. To combat this issue, Liverpool’s Public Health Team is collaborating with “All Together Smiling,” a Cheshire and Merseyside program encouraging early years settings in the city’s most deprived areas to engage in supervised toothbrushing schemes, promoting better dental hygiene habits from a young age.
Families with children under five who need extra assistance can access Tiny Teeth, a free peer-support service providing advice, information, and guidance on oral health. Self-referrals can be made through Koala North West at 0151 608 8288. Additionally, residents are urged to use the NHS’s online “Find a dentist” tool to locate dental practices currently accepting new patients. For those requiring urgent dental care and not registered with a dentist, the Cheshire and Merseyside Dental Helpline operates daily, including weekends and holidays, from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm at 0161 476 9651.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Liverpool’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, highlighted the importance of this focus: “Oral health plays a crucial role in a child’s overall wellbeing, yet too many families in Liverpool are still dealing with preventable tooth decay. World Oral Health Day is an opportunity for us to highlight the support available locally and to ensure every family knows where to turn for advice and guidance. By working with early years settings, schools and community partners, we’re helping children build healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Every child deserves the chance to grow up with a healthy smile, and we are committed to making that a reality across our city.”
Professor Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council, also stressed the preventability of tooth decay: “Tooth decay remains one of the most common health issues affecting children, but it is also one of the most preventable. Reducing sugar intake, brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and attending regular dental checkups can have a significant impact. Through initiatives like supervised toothbrushing and targeted family support, we are working to tackle inequalities and improve outcomes for children in our most affected communities. World Oral Health Day is an important reminder that a healthy mouth supports a healthy body, and small daily actions can make a big difference.”
Read the full article on Liverpool Express here: Read More
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