Smiles all round as Pembrokeshire tots win national oral health award

FOUR pre-school settings have been given Gold Awards to demonstrate a three-year commitment to the Designed to Smile National Oral Health Programme.

ABC Nursery in Haverfordwest, Templetots Playgroup in Narberth, Cylch Meithrin Croesgoch and Cylch Meithrin Arberth have worked well to embed daily tooth brushing into the children’s daily routine.

Tara Gover, Designed to Smile Coordinator with Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “Recent studies show that since 2008 there has been a steady reduction in levels of decay, with an overall 12 per cent reduction. This coincides with the introduction of Designed to Smile.

“This report is good news for us in Wales, we are starting to see evidence of better all round oral health. Huge recognition must go to the staff in participating schools and nurseries for their ongoing support of the programme, and interaction with the wider health professionals to engage further into the local communities to spread our key messages.”

The programme aims to get fluoride into contact with teeth and involves supervised tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste in primary schools and nurseries and the application of fluoride varnish.

Further information can be found at www.designedtosmile.co.uk or by contacting Tara Gover on 01437 834 403 or emailing tara.gover@wales.nhs.uk