We are delighted to announce the launch of two new paediatric services from September 2026, strengthening our commitment to improving children’s oral health across our communities.

The new initiatives, a Therapist-Led Paediatric Service and participation in the national Dental Check By 1 campaign, will increase access to dental care for children and support families in establishing healthy habits from an early age.

Therapist-Led Paediatric Service

Commissioned initially for a two-year period, the new Therapist-Led Paediatric Service will be based at our Devonport clinic and led by Dental Therapist Tatiana Topor.

Tatiana recently completed her postgraduate Dental Therapist Foundation Training (DTFT) with PDSE, making this a significant milestone both for her professional development and for PDSE’s commitment to developing its workforce.

The service will provide treatment for children requiring paediatric dental care across the South West. Following treatment, children will be recalled for review appointments, and once they are dentally fit, they will be discharged from the service.

By introducing a dedicated therapist-led pathway, PDSE will be able to increase its capacity, enabling more children to receive timely dental treatment and helping to reduce barriers to accessing care.

Dental Check By 1

Alongside the new treatment service, PDSE is also joining the nationwide Dental Checks Before 1 campaign. The campaign encourages children to visit a dental team before their first birthday, helping parents and carers establish healthy routines from the earliest stages of life.

Parents will be able to register children aged 18 months and under for a one-off appointment to discuss the importance of oral health, diet and routine in early years. Where concerns are identified or treatment is required, children may be retained and recalled for a further visit.

Register your child for the Dental Checks Before 1 service with PDSE by calling 01752 987959 and selecting option 3 or here: https://peninsuladental.org.uk/register/

Nationally, tooth decay remains one of the most common health conditions affecting children. Recent data shows that 22.4% of five-year-old children in England have experienced decay in their primary teeth, while children living in the most deprived communities are more than twice as likely to be affected as those in the least deprived areas.

By increasing access to treatment and promoting earlier contact with dental professionals, PDSE aims to help more children access the care they need and supporting healthier smiles for the future

Aimee Matthews, Clinic Operations Manager at PDSE, commented: “It is really exciting to be launching these new paediatric services, which will help us reach more children and families. By increasing access to care and promoting prevention from a young age, we hope to support better oral health outcomes for children across our communities. It’s particularly rewarding to see Tatiana utilising her full scope of practice, progressing from Dental Therapist Foundation Trainee to leading this service. Tatiana will also be working closely with Dentists and Oral Health Educators, reflecting the opportunities for professional collaboration and development within PDSE.“

Find out more about the services available at PDSE here.