- Primary schools taking part in Tesco’s Fruit and Veg for Schools programme across the UK will receive support to establish good oral health habits
- Over 140,000 children will be supported with engaging educational resources and access to oral care products
- With 1 in 5 5-year-olds having tooth decay[1], it is important that action is taken to help children, and their families understand the importance of taking simple daily steps to protect their teeth and gums.
- This partnership is the latest initiative from Tesco and Haleon, the makers of Aquafresh, to provide people with across the UK with accessible advice on how to look after their oral health.
Wednesday 10th September 2025: Two leading brands have come together in a new partnership to improve children’s oral health across the UK.
Tesco Stronger Starts supports local community projects and good causes, especially those that benefit children and young people. The partnership with Aquafresh, UK’s No.1 Kids Oral Care Brand*, made by leading global consumer health company, Haleon, is the first initiative as part of the Stronger Starts programme that focuses on oral health.
Over 400 schools on the Tesco Fruit and Veg for Schools programme will be provided with ‘Shine Bright’ resources, developed in collaboration with curriculum experts, teachers, and oral healthcare professionals, on how children can look after their teeth and gums.
There are resources for teachers, parents and kids, meaning oral care education can continue at home, as well as in school. With lesson plans, activity sheets, infographics and videos, as well as a 21-day toothbrushing challenge -all materials which are designed to fit within the Key Stage 1 curriculum.
Pegasus Primary School in Birmingham was one of the first Stronger Starts schools to try the new materials in an interactive education day delivered by an oral health professional. The children took part in fun sessions, including engaging experiments and drawing activities.
Going beyond the ‘Shine Bright’ school materials, Aquafresh will also make a donation[2] for each Aquafresh kids pack purchased in Tesco stores and online, to aid funding for toothpaste and toothbrush distribution into Stronger Starts schools.
New data, commissioned by Haleon, shows that almost three-quarters of the UK adults think education around good oral hygiene habits should be prioritised in schools (72.76%). A third of UK adults agree that focussing on improving children’s oral health should be a key priority for the Government.[3]
Jo Cooper, General Manager, Great Britain and Ireland, Haleon said: “We are extremely proud to announce the partnership between Aquafresh and Tesco Stronger Starts to help provide education and products to children in the UK. It is unacceptable that tooth decay remains the leading cause for hospital admissions among 5 to 9 year olds[4], and we at Haleon, through our brands like Aquafresh, are committed to playing our part in improving the nation’s oral health.”
Claire De Silva, Head of Communities, Tesco said: “We’re delighted that children, teachers, parents and carers across our network of UK schools will start to see children with cleaner teeth and better oral health in their classrooms and at home as result of our Stronger Starts partnership.”
Adam Ames, Lead Teacher from Birmingham Pegasus Primary School said: “It has been a pleasure to be part of this brilliant new initiative between Tesco Stronger Starts and Aquafresh. The school and children benefited from a range of easy-to-implement resources, and the practice day was thoroughly enjoyed by everybody who got involved.”
