Go on, smile like you mean it

NHS Tayside is encouraging families in Perth and Kinross to share photos of their children’s smiles and toothbrushes as part of National Smile Month.

National Smile Month, which is run by oral health charity, 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.

To raise awareness, the team isinviting people to share photos of their children’s grins on their NHS Tayside oral health improvement team Facebook page throughout the month. You can visit the page at www.facebook. com/oralhealthtayside/

NHS Tayside principal coordinator (national dental strategies) Donna Kirk 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 dental practice 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.”

National Smile Month runs until June 14.