On 17 October, Durham, Darlington and Tees Local Dental Network in collaboration with Middlesbrough Local Authority launched the Middlesbrough Starting Well Programme.

(l-r) Edward Kunonga (Middlesbrough Director of Public Health), Malcolm Smith (Postgraduate Dental Dean), Kamini Shah (Consultant in Dental Public Health), James Gossow (Assistant Medical Director), Tom Robson (Chair, Durham, Darlington & Tees Local Dental Network), Melanie Catleugh (Clinical Adviser, OCDO) and Pauline Fletcher (Primary Care Commissioning Manager)

This national programme, implemented locally, aims to improve oral health and increase dental attendance of 0–5-year-old children. Nationally, 13 areas with the worst oral health have been targeted with additional resources from NHS England to improve oral health outcomes.

The programme will involve dental practices implementing a prevention pathway for 0-5-year-old children, audit and also community outreach activities to promote and encourage dental attendance by the age of one.

The launch event was opened by Dr James Gossow, Assistant Medical Director NHS England Cumbria and the North East, followed by presentations from the Office of the Chief Dental Officer: Melanie Catleugh; Kamini Shah, Public Health England; and the Middlesbrough Director of Public Health, Edward Kunonga.

The second half of the evening included participant workshops to identify how partnership working between dental practices and health visiting and other public health teams could improve access for our youngest and most vulnerable children.