'H2O is the Way to Go' during National Smile Month
Nottinghamshire Healthcare is encouraging children in the County to swap sugary drinks for water, as part of National Smile Month from 18 May to 18 June.
The Oral Health Promotion Team, run by the Trust's County Health Partnerships, are promoting their ‘H2O is the Way to Go' campaign in dental practices and schools throughout the month.
The team, known as the Tooth Fairies of Nottingham, are attending local schools to talk about the importance of looking after ‘small smiles' and encourage drinking water instead of sugary drinks. The team expect to reach over 1,500 children during the month, all of which will be given colourful water bottles, toothbrushes and toothbrushing charts, to keep them motivated throughout the summer.
The team are also working with dental practices to highlight to young patients the importance of looking after their smiles, through the use of fun and educational activities. Plains Dental Practice in Mapperley has already got involved.
Sian Fisher, Dental Nurse at Plains Dental Practice, said: “We're now starting a sugar campaign at the practice and we're looking forward to it!”
Julia Wilkinson, Head of Oral Health Promotion for the Trust said: “We are really pleased with the number of schools who have wanted to take part in the H2O is the Way to Go campaign. By working with schools and families, we can all work together to stamp out bad habits and improve the smiles of our children.”
Dr Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the British Dental Foundation added: “I'm delighted that the Nottingham Tooth Fairies have joined the thousands of organisations in engaging with National Smile Month. It is a great reflection of local community spirit and an excellent way to promote good oral health.
“By making an event as fun and imaginative as possible, we hope it will inspire more people than ever before to join in whilst also delivering the British Dental Health Foundation's three key messages for good oral health; brush for two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks; and visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend.”
For more information visit www.smilemonth.org and www.nottinghamoralhealth.com
