Download our new Lancs Child and Family app!
Our new family-focused app gives lots of information and advice.
Our new family-focused app gives lots of information and advice.
Lancashire has a children’s oral pathway in place for children 0-16 (16 years and 364 days) who do not currently have a dentist for routine care. In these cases, a referral can be made by a member of your health visiting, school nursing service, education setting or family hub. This service is for routine care for those children who DO NOT currently have a dentist. It is not an urgent care referral service. Once the referral is received children will be routed to the nearest participating general dental practice who will then contact the child’s parent/carer to arrange an appointment. Please look out for a number you may not recognise, and it may take a couple of weeks for dental practice to contact you. Unfortunately, the pathway does not cover the districts of Fylde and Ribble Valley so in these districts please contact the below:
If you would like to register your child with an NHS dentist, please click to contact the NHS Dental Helpline or telephone 0300 1234010 – The Helpline is open Monday to Friday 8.00am – 9.00pm, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays 9.00 am – 5.00 pm.
For very young children (under the age of one year old) the guidance is that a child should attend a dental practice when the first tooth appears or at age one if no teeth have erupted by age one.
Supporting Dental Health – Hints and tips for supporting your child with their dental health.
In Lancashire, reception age children are offered and receive vision screening as part of the Healthy Child Programme. The aim of the service is to detect reduced vision early before it becomes a problem. Reduced vision can have an impact on a child’s learning and development and if problems are detected early, it is much easier to treat. Vision screening in this Local Authority uses opt-in consent. This means that parental acceptance is sought prior to the screening examination. The tests are carried out within schools by trained vision screeners. They take approximately five minutes, and the screener is trained to make the test fun for the child. The service is provided by East Lancashire Hospital Trust which will be in touch with parents/carers to offer and explain the service further.
Our School Health Team does not routinely test pupil’s vision, and we recommend that your child access an optician for a vision test if you or your child has any concerns regarding their vision.
Should you have a concern regarding your child’s hearing please contact your GP so this can be discussed further and a referral made if appropriate.
Learn First Aid for children and access an app for use in emergency situations
Lancashire residents can access a FREE First Aid course that covers adults, children and babies
