Professor Green promotes children's oral health

Rapper Professor Green has teamed up with the NHS to raise awareness about the importance of children's dental hygiene.

He is launching a competition for primary schools across the South West to encourage better toothbrushing habits among young children.

Despite being largely preventable, the NHS said almost a fifth of five-year-olds in the South West had tooth decay, and tooth extraction was the most common reason for hospital admissions for those aged six to 10.

Professor Green said he only realised later in life how not brushing properly twice a day affected his physical and mental health. He added he now took it seriously with his own son alongside a healthy diet.

To promote the message, Professor Green will judge a competition for schools to sing their own version of the NHS Big Brush Club's toothbrushing theme tune.

Professor Green said he was "chuffed" to support the scheme.

"Getting this right for children will result in fewer kids being admitted to hospital with avoidable tooth decay and better oral health for them in adulthood," he said.

"I cannot wait to review and judge the competition entries."

The competition, which runs until the end of May, also includes a colouring category where children can colour one of the Big Brush Club's official mascots.

The Big Brush Club operates in 895 primary schools and pre-schools in areas with high rates of tooth decay across the South West.

It includes a short, daily toothbrushing session for those aged three to five, alongside lessons on self-care, healthy eating, and reducing sugar intake.

Reena Patel, consultant in dental public health at NHS England, said there were "very high rates of tooth decay" in the South West.

That caused "pain, infections, and difficulties with eating, sleeping, smiling, and socialising, which can lead to significant school absence and parents taking time off work", she said.

"The Big Brush Club is about supporting children and parents at an early stage to reduce sugar intake and create good habits at home that can last a lifetime."

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