At mydentist, we believe that great oral health starts early. The habits children develop in their formative years set the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles. However, ensuring that kids maintain good dental hygiene isn’t always easy – many parents or carers struggle with making brushing engaging, preventing cavities and teaching their children to recognise oral health issues. 

For International Women’s Day 2025, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate the women leading the way in dentistry, including those dedicated to oral health education and prevention. In this blog, we sit down with Ingrid Perry MBE, our Oral Health Prevention Lead here at mydentist, to explore the importance of early childhood dental education and how parents and carers can play a key role in supporting their child’s oral health journey. 

Meet Ingrid Perry MBE – Oral Health Prevention Lead  

With nearly four decades in the dental profession, Ingrid Perry MBE, Oral Health Prevention Lead at mydentist, has dedicated her career to ensuring children receive the education and support they need to maintain healthy smiles. From her own challenging experiences with childhood dental health to spearheading nationally recognised initiatives, Ingrid has been a driving force in the shift toward prevention-focused oral healthcare. 

What inspired you to focus on oral health prevention and education for children? 

Ingrid's personal experience with childhood tooth decay and dental anxiety shaped her passion for prevention. Ingrid commented: "As a young child, I dreaded going to the dentist. I knew every time I went it would likely result in having a general anaesthetic (GA) to have decayed teeth removed. That fear of the ‘gas mask’ has stayed with me all my life and I still feel anxious when it’s my turn to be the patient!" 

At just three years old, Ingrid underwent a GA to remove eight of her baby teeth due to severe decay caused by prolonged bottle use. Ingrid commented: "Unfortunately, as a baby and toddler I regularly drank juice from a feeding bottle. The juice had been given to my mum at the baby clinic – it contained vitamin C and she was encouraged to give it to us to supplement our diet. No further advice was offered about the dangers of prolonged exposure to juice in feeding bottles or the importance of twice daily toothbrushing and sadly I experienced a huge amount of tooth decay from a very early age." 

As a result, Ingrid endured multiple extractions, orthodontic treatment and the psychological toll of missing teeth. Ingrid commented: "All of this had a huge personal impact and the sad thing about it is, it all could have been prevented if the correct advice had been given at different stages throughout my life. My drive comes from wanting to prevent other children going through what I went through as it had such a negative impact on my health and wellbeing." 

Why is early childhood dental education so important for long-term oral health? 

"We know that children learn the most fundamental skills in the first five years of their life. By instilling good oral hygiene and dietary habits from a young age we can set the foundations for a healthy life." 

Ingrid highlights the clear link between poor oral health and serious general health conditions such as periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease. Early education and prevention efforts, she explains, can significantly reduce these risks. Ingrid added:  

"By encouraging parents to prioritise a child’s dental health from birth – ensuring they have their teeth brushed at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste as soon as they erupt through the gum, limiting exposure to dietary sugars and attending regular dental visits – we will give the child the best start in life." 

What are some of the biggest challenges parents face in establishing a good oral health routine for their children? 

Modern family life presents new obstacles to consistent oral health routines, something Ingrid emphasised: "Many families have working parents which adds to the stress of getting the kids up and ready for school or nursery on time. Often, toothbrushing is missed as the morning rush can be a nightmare, especially if you have a child who is reluctant to have their teeth brushed!" 

The widespread marketing of high-sugar foods aimed at children also contributes to the challenge. Ingrid added: "Parents often feel under pressure to give in and buy these products. The weekly trip to the supermarket can become a battlefield with children displaying unwelcome behaviour if they are told they cannot have a specific treat or drink." 

Additionally, the increasing reliance on convenience foods and busy schedules with after-school activities can lead to unhealthy snacking habits, further increasing the risk of tooth decay. 

Can you share some fun and engaging ways to make brushing a positive experience for kids? 

"The key to a positive toothbrushing session is to make it fun and enjoyable!" Ingrid suggests using songs, timers and rewards to make brushing engaging. 

"You could sing to your child, play their favourite song or use a toothbrush with their favourite cartoon character on it. A toothbrushing chart is also a good motivator – where they can put a sticker on the chart every time they brush and once completed, they could be rewarded with a trip to the park, a bike ride or a comic." 

For young children who resist brushing, Ingrid recommends a “guided brushing" approach, commenting: "If a child needs help with brushing, it is important they feel in control. The key is for the parent to gently guide the toothbrush by placing their hand on top of the child’s hand and manoeuvring it where it needs to be rather than completely taking over." 

Parents should also be mindful of how they approach brushing to avoid creating a traumatic experience. Ingrid commented: "It would be very useful for a parent to experience what it feels like to have their teeth brushed by someone else, especially if they are held in a headlock and being restrained! Perhaps ask your partner to brush your teeth and you will see how vulnerable this can make you feel." 

Breaking brushing time into short bursts can also help. Ingrid added: "Brushing for a full two minutes without a break can feel like a long time for a child. Instead, say, ‘Let’s brush until we count to ten,’ then take a short break and do another ten. This way, the child feels in control." 

How can parents help children develop confidence in recognising and communicating dental issues? 

Establishing a positive relationship with the dentist from an early age can make a significant difference in a child’s long-term oral health. Ingrid advised: "It is highly recommended a baby has their first check-up before their first birthday. This allows prevention advice to be given and gives parents the opportunity to raise any concerns they may have about their baby’s teeth with the dentist." 

Regular dental visits help children feel comfortable in the dental environment, making check-ups a normal part of their routine rather than something to fear. Ingrid commented: "By introducing visits to the dentist from an early age, the child becomes familiar with the surroundings and dental check-ups become a regular occurrence. They will also begin to build a relationship with members of the dental team and will feel comfortable asking questions or explaining to the dentist if they have any worries about their teeth." 

For older children who may not have visited a dentist before, the first appointment can feel daunting. Ingrid suggests preparing them in advance to ease any anxiety. Ingrid added: "Before the appointment, talk to your child about what will happen when they get there and what the dentist will do. Explain how they will have a ride on a big chair that goes up and down and how the dentist will shine a light on their teeth to help him to see all their teeth with a tiny mirror on a stick so he can count how many teeth they have." 

Books and role play can also be helpful tools. Ingrid added: "Look at a storybook together about someone visiting the dentist and take their favourite teddy with them for extra support." 

Helping children to recognise and understand their own oral health is just as important. Ingrid encourages parents to make teeth a part of daily conversation, advising: "Show your child their teeth in a mirror. Get them to smile so they can see their teeth and gums and explain what healthy teeth should look like. By familiarising your child with their teeth, they will be more aware as they get older of when something isn’t quite right." 

By normalising dental visits and encouraging open conversations about oral health, parents can help their children feel confident in recognising and addressing any dental concerns as they grow. 

What role do schools and community programs play in improving children's oral health? 

Ingrid commented: "Everyone has a role to play in improving children’s oral health, whether that be your local Health Visiting team, childminder or local authority." Schools and community initiatives are essential in engaging families and reinforcing oral health education. 

"There are some amazing community programmes where children and families attend sessions on healthy eating, looking after themselves and general health and wellbeing."  

She also highlights the Government’s pledge to introduce a national supervised toothbrushing programme for children in deprived areas – providing them with toothbrushes, toothpaste and essential guidance: "There is strong evidence to show this works and has a positive impact on children’s oral health while also reducing health inequalities." 

Have you seen a change in attitudes toward children's oral health education over the years? 

Ingrid commented: "Absolutely! Having worked in the dental profession for almost 40 years, I have seen a huge shift towards prevention. Historically, we would treat the disease – now we try to prevent it."  

Ingrid emphasises the growing awareness of how poor oral health affects school attendance, concentration and self-confidence – especially as children enter puberty. "Oral health is now firmly on the National Curriculum for all Key Stages and schools are keen for members of the dental team to visit their classrooms to deliver lessons on looking after teeth." 

What advice would you give to parents who struggle with getting their children to maintain good oral hygiene habits? 

Ingrid commented: "As a parent myself, I did find there were times when it was an uphill battle, but my advice would be to remain consistent and calm. If daily toothbrushing causes anxiety, it will become a time that both you and your child will dread." 

Ingrid encourages parents to turn toothbrushing into a fun and engaging activity rather than a stressful routine: "Try to make it a time when you have fun by using disclosing tablets to help you see where the ‘germs’ are by turning the plaque a different colour, then brushing until all of the colour has gone." 

She also suggests incorporating timers and music to make the process more enjoyable: "You could use a fun timer to help you brush for the correct amount of time. There are many free timers you can download from the internet suitable for all ages. Alternatively, you could play your child’s favourite song whilst you brush." 

Timing is also key to making brushing easier for both parents and children:  "Toothbrushing ideally should be done last thing at night before bed and at least one other time during the day. Try to find a time when your child is not overtired and relaxed, as you will find them more willing to brush. Brushing teeth whilst they are in the bath or shower is a great time to brush as it doesn’t matter how much mess they make!" 

For parents struggling to establish a twice-daily routine, Ingrid reassures them that quality over quantity is most important: "If you’re struggling with toothbrushing, a thorough brush once a day (ideally before bed) is much better than two or three half-hearted attempts when minimal amounts of plaque are removed." 

Resources for parents and carers 

As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, it’s inspiring to see women like Ingrid leading the way in dentistry and championing better oral health for future generations. By fostering good habits from infancy, empowering parents with the right knowledge and engaging schools and communities in the conversation, we can help children build a lifetime of healthy smiles. 

At mydentist, we are committed to supporting families on this journey because prevention is always better than cure. Together, we can ensure every child has the opportunity to grow up with strong, healthy teeth and the confidence to smile brightly. 

If you're a parent or carer who'd like support with understanding and caring for your child's oral health, you can find free Kids Club resources on the mydentist website.