UPTAKE on a scheme to varnish thousands of primary school and nursery pupils' teeth with fluoride has been positive, says the district care trust behind the decay-busting initiative.

All primary schools across Bradford and Airedale have been invited to sign up for the varnishing sessions carried out by NHS dental nurses and so far about 300 of them including other childcare settings have enrolled, according to Swarngit Shahid, clinical director at the Bradford District Care Trust, which provides the service.

Bradford and Airedale District has the poorest oral health in the region, with just over 46 per cent of five-year-old children having tooth decay, compared with 33.6 per cent across Yorkshire and Humber region.

“Research shows that Fluoride Varnish is highly effective at reducing dental disease if applied twice a year directly onto the tooth surface, in addition to regular tooth brushing. There has been a positive up take from schools, nurseries and other childcare settings," he said.

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The varnishing project, commissioned by Public Health Bradford, is in its fourth year now and is just one programme which is part of a package of oral health improvements called Building Brighter Smiles. There is evidence that fluoride varnish can reduce tooth decay in first teeth by 33 per cent and all children between the ages of two and four are eligible to have it done.

Pupils in Thornbury Primary's reception and nursery classes were the latest to get a visit from dental nurses this week after all 170 children had letters sent home asking their parents and carers for permission first. The varnish is applied four times in two years at six monthly-intervals.

Headteacher Clare Daddy said: “We are aware of the recent report by Public Health England which showed that Bradford’s three-year-olds had very high levels of tooth decay and, along with parents, want to do something about it.”

Last year, the Telegraph & Argus revealed that three Bradford under-fives have teeth pulled out in hospital every week, because of infections caused by eating sugary food and failing to brush teeth properly and official statistics showed that 462 children in the city were admitted to hospital over a three-year period, with dental issues.

Dr Shirley Brierley, consultant in public health for Bradford Council said: "Around 7,500 young children are recruited to the fluoride varnish programme every year and around 18,000 applications of fluoride varnish occur with children aged 2 to 4 years every year across the district.

"Bradford Council is responsible for oral health improvement and has invested in a number of evidence-based programmes under the banner of Building Brighter Smiles to reach young children in a variety of settings in their early years. The fluoride varnish programme is aimed at providing effective intervention in all children aged 2 and 4 year olds and targets those at risk from possible tooth decay. It is available through children’s centres and school nurseries."