A new animation has been launched to support the All Together Smiling supervised toothbrushing programme, which helps children aged 2–7 across Cheshire and Merseyside to build lifelong oral health habits.
The short film introduces children, families and those working in early years to supervised toothbrushing, explaining what it looks like in practice, and why it matters. With colourful visuals and simple step-by-step guidance, the animation reinforces key oral health messages and encourages twice-daily toothbrushing. The animation has been co-produced and features characters created by local school children from Cheshire and Merseyside. All Together Smiling is an inclusive programme, and this is reflected in the animation featuring accessible oral health products (such as 3-way toothbrushes), basic sign language, subtitles, and diverse characters.
The animation also serves as a practical tool for eligible settings, helping to boost practitioner confidence, supporting set up and inspiring wider participation in the programme.
Prof. Ian Ashworth, Director of Population Health, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside said:
“Supervised toothbrushing is one of the most effective ways to reduce dental decay in young children and this animation brings the programme to life in a way that’s both engaging and reassuring for families. It helps children understand what to expect and encourages healthy habits that can last a lifetime.”
The animation is now available to view and share across participating settings and community channels:
A total of 180 settings are currently participating in All Together Smiling supervised toothbrushing programmes across Cheshire and Merseyside, reaching over 11,000 children. Since the programme’s inception, over 298,000 fluoride toothpaste and toothbrush packs have also been distributed to children and families. For more information on the All Together Smiling programme, or to see if your setting is eligible to take part, contact the programme at [email protected]