Daily roundup 9 June: Dental health, social action, and childcare appointment

A scheme in Scotland to improve children’s dental health is saving almost £5m a year in treatment costs. The Scotsman reports that the Childsmile programme offers children in nurseries free toothbrushes and toothpaste every six months, and monitors the way they brush their teeth on a daily basis. As a result of the initiative, the number of primary one children with “no obvious decay experience” rose from 54 per cent in 2006 to 68 per cent in 2014.


More than 1,000 schools have now signed up for a youth volunteering programme launched by Mayor of London Boris Johnson two years ago. The Mayor's Office said more than 190,000 Londoners aged between five and 18 have participated since the programme was established. A third of London schools is now participating, with the programme on target to reach 2,500 schools by 2017.


Julia Margo, the former director of insight at Which? has been appointed as chief executive at The Family and Childcare Trust. She will take up the role in mid-July, replacing Stephen Dunmore, who has been interim chief executive since February this year.


Government officials are “very concerned” after Ofsted graded Sandwell children's services "inadequate". The Express and Star reports that the findings come just two years after significant improvements were demanded by the inspectorate.


Youth charity OnSide, which runs Wolverhampton Youth Zone has apologised after advertising for general assistants on zero-hour contracts. According to the Express & Star, jobs for three people were advertised but the charity has said the advert was “published in error” and it does not support zero hours.


A mother has been found guilty of neglect after her 18-month-old daughter fell from a first-floor window and fractured her skull. The 31-year-old had denied the charge, but admitted she was asleep when the accident occurred, Kent Online reports.