THE British Dental Health Foundation is inviting teachers to join together and take part in this year's National Smile Month, from May 19 to June 19.
Year on year, with an increasing number of schools participating, more children are taking advantage of the lifelong benefits of good dental health.
The World Health Organisation says that worldwide, 60 per cent to 90 per cent of schoolchildren and nearly 100 per cent of adults have dental cavities which often lead to pain and discomfort. Oral health is essential to general health and quality of life. It is a state of being free from mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, oral infection and sores, gum disease, tooth decay, tooth loss, and other diseases and disorders that limit an individual's capacity in biting, chewing, smiling, speaking, and emotional wellbeing.
Statistics show that not enough children give consideration to their oral health, and that's where National Smile Month comes in. Schools have an important role to play in educating young people about healthy lifestyles, including their oral care. Introducing oral health into the school curriculum, especially in primary school, can make a big difference. Research shows that people who learn good habits as children are far more likely to carry them into adulthood.
A dedicated website for helping to improve oral health in schools called Dental Buddy hosts a series of educational resources, including activity sheets, lesson plans and interactive presentations.
Resources are available to educate children on the basic messages all the way up to some of the more detailed ways in which they can improve their oral health. Pupils can get involved with tooth-brushing demonstrations, drawing competitions, a quiz, or even writing their own smiley poems. Smiley masks are available to use in 'Smileathons'. The three key messages of the campaign are: n Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste n Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks n Visit your dentist regularly.
See dentalbuddy.org.