All smiles in the Doon Valley

Published 14 Aug 2010 16:53

To celebrate National Smile Month NHS Ayrshire & Arran's Oral Health Promotion Team held an event in the Doon Valley to help spread the message of good oral health.

National Smile Month 2010 used the tagline 'Teeth4Life' and the campaign focused on the vital importance of looking after your mouth in order to keep your body healthy. Significant scientific evidence has shown the links between oral health and overall health, with research clearly linking gum disease to heart disease, diabetes, strokes and premature and low birth weight babies.

To get into the spirit of things the Oral Health Promotion Team organised a National Smile Month event in Dalmellington Community Centre. The drop-in event gave people an opportunity to find out about the dental services and programmes available in the Doon Valley.

There was something to suit people of all ages including street dancers from Doon Academy and the Zone, while Patna Primary School's Primary 4 class recited a poem, "I wish I'd looked after my teeth". There were competitions and prizes, face painting and a free dental goody bag for everyone who attended. The Maternal and Child Nutrition Team offered healthy snacks to raise awareness of the importance of a healthy diet.

Local primary schools took part in a competition to design their own toothbrush and the winners received their prizes on the day. People who were unsure about going to the dentist were able to have a chat with a local dentist, sit in the chair and have the dental equipment explained to them.

A number of other support services were available for people to chat to, including Fresh Ayrshire, Childsmile, Choose a smile for your child pharmacy project, Breastfeeding, Jumpstart, Bellsbank Project, East Ayrshire Recreation Partnership and The Zone/ Bellsbank Adventure Playground.

Karen Parker - Senior Oral health Promotion Co-ordinator commented: "We are delighted to get involved in National Smile Month and involve the Doon Valley Community. Good oral health is very important and as the event proved can be great fun!"

This year's National Smile Month maintains the British Dental Health Foundation's key messages: brush twice-a-day with fluoride toothpaste, cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks and visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend.

Dr Nigel Carter, Chief Executive of the foundation, who organise National Smile Month, commented: "We are delighted that the local Oral Health Promotion Teams have joined the many dental practices, schools, health professionals and community groups promoting good oral healthcare as part of National Smile Month campaign.

"A good oral health care routine can help guard against all sorts of oral and general health conditions from bad breath and decay to gum disease, which has been linked to a number of more serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and strokes.

"By promoting good oral health care in a fun and imaginative way we hope to persuade more people of the importance of taking care of their teeth."

For more information on oral health, contact the Oral Health Promotion Team on 01294 323 455.

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