National oral health initiative returns

First Smiles encourages BSDHT members to enter schools and nurseries across the UK to deliver fun and accessible lessons to children regarding the importance of good oral health, and to teach them the necessary habits needed to maintain a healthy smile for life.

President of the BSDHT, Michaela ONeill, says: “First Smiles launched last year to huge success, our amazing BSDHT members really helped to make a significant difference to children’s oral health by engaging with thousands of children in classrooms across the country.

“Our members, as well as schools and nurseries across the UK, have really embraced this potentially life changing initiative; we are really proud of what we have achieved so far but there is still so much more that we think we can achieve.

“This year we want the programme to be bigger and better; we want your help to ensure important oral health messages reach many more children.

“The headlines about children’s oral health continue to make depressing reading, a recent government survey revealed that nearly a third (31 per cent) of five year olds and half (46 per cent) of eight year olds have visible signs of dental decay.