A free online healthcare learning programme designed to support good oral health in children is now available. The Children's Oral Health e-learning programme covers the main causes of tooth decay and the simple actions that can be taken to prevent the problem. It also explains when a child's primary and adult teeth start to appear, and what to do if a tooth is knocked out.

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Aimed at parents, expectant mothers, early years healthcare workers, teachers, nurses, GPs and the public, the programme consists of one e-learning session that will take about 20 minutes to complete with a number of self-assessment questions to reinforce key issues.

The resource has been welcomed by the British Association of Dental Nurses. President Hazel Coey said: 'The messages are clear, and self-assessment learning an excellent idea. It should prove beneficial for dental teams to point parents and pre school/ nursery staff and others to the e-learning tool.'

'It is clear from research that children's oral health in the UK needs as much support as we can develop. The information on tackling an avulsed tooth is especially welcome. Oral health promotion is key to preventing tooth decay, especially in children, and I would like to see more dental nurses supporting dental practices in this important work.'

The programme was developed collaboratively by UCL with Health Education England's e-learning for Healthcare (HEE e-LfH), the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons and UCLH Eastman Dental Hospital. Further e-Learning for healthcare sessions are planned for 2019 to support the understanding of children's oral health advice for the health and social care workforce. The resource can be found here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/eastman/news/2019/feb/free-online-learning-childrens-oral-health-advice-all.