Overview
Brush-Up is a student-led oral health outreach programme delivered by trained volunteers from the School of Dental Sciences at Newcastle University, working in partnership with Wallsend Children’s Community (WCC). The project addresses early childhood oral health inequalities by providing engaging, preventative education to young children and their families.
By embedding positive oral health behaviours at the earliest stage of education, Brush-Up helps prevent tooth decay, reduces avoidable school absence, and supports children to establish lifelong healthy habits.
Target Group
Brush-Up supports Reception and Early Years pupils (aged 4–5) in 13 primary schools across Wallsend, North Tyneside, an area with higher than average levels of childhood tooth decay.
Key Activities
Oral Health Education Sessions
Interactive, age-appropriate workshops delivered in schools, covering:
- Effective tooth-brushing techniques
- The importance of regular dental visits
- The impact of sugar on teeth
- Everyday hygiene good practice
Sessions are designed to be fun, accessible, and confidence-building, encouraging children to actively participate.
Community & Family Engagement
Dental student volunteers bring trusted, evidence-based oral health and dietary advice into schools. Sessions are often attended by parents and carers, enabling families to reinforce learning at home and strengthening the link between school, community, and healthcare.
Educational Resources & Support Materials
Children learn through games, stories, and hands-on activities, helping to normalise dental care and reduce anxiety around visiting the dentist.
All children receive free oral hygiene packs (toothbrush, toothpaste, and a 2-minute timer), with additional packs provided to attending adults to support whole-family behaviour change.
Aims & Outcomes
Raise Awareness
Improve children’s understanding of oral health, healthy eating, and dental care from an early age, reducing the risk of future dental problems.
Build Healthy Habits
Equip children with practical skills and knowledge that support long-term behaviour change, including correct brushing techniques and routine dental attendance.
Support Community Health & Reduce Inequalities
Deliver targeted, preventative intervention in a community experiencing higher rates of tooth decay and related school absence, contributing to improved educational engagement and wellbeing.
Recognition & Credibility
- Newcastle University Award-winning project, recognised for its contribution to lifelong health and wellbeing
- Strong partnership working between the university, schools, and Wallsend Children’s Community
- Demonstrates meaningful student civic engagement alongside measurable community benefit
Evaluating Impact
Brush-Up evaluates impact using WCC’s Impact Assessment Framework measuring change at three levels:
Individual
- Increased knowledge of oral health among children and parents
- Improved confidence in tooth-brushing and dental care routines
- Uptake and consistent use of oral hygiene packs at home
Relational
- Strengthened relationships between families, schools, and health professionals
- Increased parental engagement in children’s health and wellbeing
- Positive role-modelling through trusted student volunteers
Systems
- Contribution to wider efforts to reduce childhood oral health inequalities
- Strengthened collaboration between education, community, and health sectors
- A scalable, low-cost preventative model that can be replicated in other communities
