Dental foundation launches campaign

The British Dental Health Foundation is to launch its new campaign for National Smile Week and is urging health professionals to get involved. As well as providing practical oral health information, Talking Teeth will focus on the theme of friends and communication – to encourage people to pass on oral health advice to those around them.

The event will run from May 15 to May 21, and the Foundation will encourage health professionals around the country to get involved in passing advice to the public.

Commenting on the campaign, Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Foundation, said: "A well-placed display or a word of advice from a health professional can go a long way towards persuading someone to take a look at their oral health routine.

"National Smile Week provides health professionals with a chance to take a step back and remind patients of their key oral health needs - which include brushing twice-a-day with fluoride toothpaste, cutting down on the frequency of sugary snacks and drinks and visiting the dentist regularly, as often as they are recommend to.”

He added: "However, we will not only be telling people what they should be doing as part of a good oral health routine, we will also be explaining how it works and why it is so important."

This year, the Foundation is providing a free six-page guide to back the campaign. The Event Organiser contains oral health information, tips on organising a successful event and possible event ideas.

Event Organiser's will also receive a National Smile Week Resources Catalogue, which is packed full of useful products designed specifically for this year's event.

Last year the Foundation sent out guides to more than 35,000 people interested in organising an event, and more than 45 million people read National Smile Week articles. However, they are hopeful that this year will be the biggest event yet.

Dr Carter continued: "National Smile Week gives the public a chance to reassess their oral health routine. The support of health professionals is vital in making people aware of how they can ensure a healthy mouth. With the emphasis of the campaign on Friends and Communication we hope that health professionals will use the opportunity to raise awareness of the need for good oral health in their community."

For a free copy of The Event Organiser please contact the Foundation on 0870 770 4014. The Foundation will also launch seven practical tips to help keep mouths healthy and these are available on www.dentalhealth.org.uk.