Community Dental Services CIC (CDS) has introduced a competition for children aged six to 11 years living in Essex, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Waveney, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Suffolk, and Slough.
Supporting the Oral Health Foundation’s National Smile Month, taking place between May 12 and June 12, 2025, CDS has asked children to write a short story or poem about teeth. This could be about toothbrushing, eating tooth-friendly foods and drinks, or the tooth fairy. The winner’s story or poem will be turned into a video, narrated by themselves, and they will also receive an electric toothbrush and book voucher.
Jennifer Baitup, strategic oral health lead for CDS, champions the importance of good oral health and supervised toothbrushing programmes within early years’ settings and schools, as well as promoting good oral health in children and adults with special needs and in care settings.
Jennifer commented, “National Smile Month 2025’s theme is Feed Your Smile – focusing on the connection between diet and oral health. With an increasing number of children experiencing dental decay, we’re encouraging young, creative minds to share their stories or poems to encourage their peers to make smart food and drink choices that promote good oral health. We are excited to read the entries and look forward to sharing the important messages far and wide.”
Children in the participating areas are asked to submit their entry (under 400 words) by June 12, 2025. The winner will be announced on July 1, 2025.
For more information visit https://www.communitydentalservices.co.uk/oral-health-improvement/ or email oralhealthimprovement@cds-cic.nhs.uk