Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Bid to make oral health smiles better
NHS Tayside is encouraging families to share photos of their children’s smiles and toothbrushes as part of National Smile Month.
National Smile Month, which is run by the Oral Health Foundation, aims to ultimately improve the UK’s oral health by raising awareness of important health issues.
NHS Tayside’s oral health improvement team hopes the annual awareness month will encourage families across Tayside to register babies and young children with their local dentist.
The team is inviting people to share photos of their children’s grins on its Facebook page throughout the event, which runs until June 14.
Donna Kirk, NHS Tayside’s principal co-ordinator of national dental strategies, said: “Health visitors provide oral health messages to children along with a toothbrush, toothpaste and free flow cup at around four months old and parents are advised to register their children at the dentist.
“Taking your child to the dentist as early as possible helps them to get used to the sights, sounds and smells of a dental practice and it will give parents access to information, advice and support to look after their child’s teeth.
“At the dental practice, you will be given advice and support from the dental team, who will show you how you can help your child keep healthy teeth and stop them suffering tooth decay in the future.”
Donna added: “There are many parents with dental anxiety.
“Taking their children to a check-up and prevention appointment helps them to see their children enjoy toothbrushing and a chat.”
People can visit the “smile” page at facebook.com/oralhealthtayside/.