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Introduction to supervised toothbrushing
This badge is awarded to people who successfully complete the Introduction to supervised toothbrushing module on TURAS, demonstrating their understanding of the Childsmile programme and its role in improving children's oral health outcomes.
Do you work with children in a nursery, school or childminding setting? Supervised toothbrushing is one of the simplest and most effective ways you can make a lasting difference to the children in your care. This badge recognises that you know how to do it well.
The Childsmile programme delivers supervised toothbrushing in nurseries and schools across Scotland. It exists because tooth decay remains one of the most common reasons children in Scotland are admitted to hospital and because the habits children form early stay with them for life. The staff who support this programme every day play a vital role in tackling a significant public health inequality.
If your workplace wishes to take part in the Childsmile supervised toothbrushing programme, further training is required before starting. Please contact your local health board coordinator for further information: Coordinators – Childsmile
By earning this badge, you will demonstrate that you:
- understand the purpose and importance of the Childsmile supervised toothbrushing programme
- can explain the link between oral health and children’s overall health and wellbeing
- are able to apply what you have learned in your day-to-day practice
- have shared your learning with colleagues to strengthen practice across your setting.
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You must not use any generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to plan, write or improve your evidence for this badge.
To earn this badge you will need to:
- complete the Introduction to supervised toothbrushing module on TURAS
- explain your understanding of children’s oral health and how participating in supervised toothbrushing can benefit this (100–200 words)
- describe how you have applied, or plan to apply, what you have learned in your day-to-day practice to improve outcomes for the children you support, including any changes you have made or intend to make (200–400 words)
- describe how you have shared what you learned with at least one colleague (or parent if you are a childminder), including when and how you did this and what their response was (50–100 words).
There is a maximum word count for this badge of 700 words.
Your application will be returned to you with a request for further evidence if it does not meet all the above criteria or is unclear which of these questions you are answering within your evidence.
There are no prerequisites for this badge.
You will need to submit a written statement of at least 350 but no more than 700 words in response to the questions asked in the criteria. You can write your statement directly on the badge application form or paste a link to your own blog or portfolio.
Remember to always write in the first person, using words like “I,” “me,” and “my” when talking about your learning and practice.
When preparing your evidence, consider the following guidance for each question:
Children’s oral health (100–200 words)
- Explain what you now understand about why oral health matters for children’s overall health and wellbeing.
- Describe the specific benefits of supervised toothbrushing as a programme, rather than just toothbrushing in general.
- Consider what surprised you or what you learned that you didn’t already know.
Applying your learning (200–400 words)
- Be specific about the changes you have made or plan to make to how you carry out or support supervised toothbrushing sessions.
- Connect your learning to the children you work with and the setting you work in.
- Consider any challenges you anticipate and how you would approach these.
- Reflect on how this learning helps you contribute to children’s health outcomes beyond the toothbrushing session itself.
Sharing your learning (50–100 words)
- State clearly how you shared your learning (for example, a team meeting, a conversation with a colleague or a handover).
- Describe what you shared and why you chose to share that particular aspect of your learning.
- Include any response or follow-up from the person or people you shared it with.
We will also accept an audio or video submission if you prefer.
The evidence you submit will be viewable by anyone who you show your badge to. Do not include confidential or private information within your submission.
Badge issuer
NHS Education for Scotland Oral Health Improvement Team
We develop educational material to support Oral Health Improvement in priority groups.
Submit your application
Terms and conditions
1. I have read, understood and completed all activities listed in the badge criteria. The evidence I have provided answers each question from the criteria.
2. I confirm that the evidence I have submitted is free from personally identifiable information of others. Nobody can be identified, directly or indirectly, from any examples I provide.
3. I confirm that I have not used generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) to plan or write any of the evidence I have provided. This is my own original work and I have not copied it from anywhere or anyone else. I understand that all AI assistance is banned under the rules for Open Badge applications.
4. I give consent for the SSSC and the people I share this badge with to use plagiarism and AI detection tools to validate the authenticity of the evidence I have submitted.
5. I understand that it may take up to 28 days to assess my application and that feedback cannot always be provided if it is unsuccessful.
Your evidence, name, and email address will be sent to the organisation who issue this badge