UK - Putting the smile into Skegness

Shoppers in Skegness can trade in their tootbrush next week at an event promoting National Smile Month

Members of Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust’s (LCHS) Oral Health team will be offering a toothbrush amnesty at the Hildreds Shopping Centre on Wednesday, May 27.

Armed with freebies and a wealth of advice and information for the whole family from juniors to seniors the team will be on hand from 10am to 3pm. Visitors will also be able to swap their old toothbrush for a new one, subject to availability.

Gina Hargrave, oral health promoter for LCHS, said: “We believe you can achieve a healthier smile, whatever your age. We hope we can encourage as many of Lincolnshire’s families as possible to come along and see what a difference small changes can make to their oral health. “The popular toothbrush amnesty will also be making a return at two of our events, so make sure you come along and are not among the one in five adults who can’t remember when they last changed their toothbrush.”

According to the British Dental Health Foundation, a quarter of five-year-olds show obvious signs of dental decay, while only a quarter of adults admit to only visiting their dentist when they have a problem. Chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, said: “I’m delighted that Lincolnshire Community Health Services has 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 to join in the fun than ever before while 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.” Follow LCHS’s Oral Health team on Twitter @Oralhealthsmile for updates from all of the events and useful tips for keeping a healthy smile.