Brushing up on oral health (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Brushing up on oral health

8:39am Sunday 8th June 2008 in Local By Claire Lomax

Students at St Brendan's Primary School in Idle are taking part in a district wide initiative to help improve oral health.

As part of National Smile Month, which runs until Tuesday, June 17, children are being taught one simple oral health message - to brush teeth and gums for two minutes twice a day.

The supervised tooth brushing programme has been put in place in schools not only to encourage children to take longer to brush their teeth, but also to get parents involved. This is a part of the Bradford and Airedale Choosing Better Oral Health Strategy and is supported by the Department of Health as a way of reducing dental decay in teeth.

Sharon Walker, oral health promotion co-ordinator for Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust (tPCT), said: "The tPCT's supervised tooth brushing scheme is one of many ways that we are trying to improve not only oral health, but general well being across Bradford and Airedale."

National Smile Month aims to promote good oral health and hygiene for all and raise awareness of the links between oral hygiene and overall good health. For more information visit the organisation's website at nationalsmileweek.org/uk or contact your dentist.