Oldham back national campaign to promote good oral health

Oldham Council is encouraging residents to do their bit and take part in National Smile Month (Monday 13th May and Thursday 13th June).

The national campaign aims to promote improving and maintaining a healthy mouth.

Oldham’s under-fives, in particular, have some of the worst tooth decay in the country and the council is calling for vital co-operative action to help stop the rot.

As part of this, the council along with Bridgewater Community Health Care NHS Foundation Trust has organised a variety of events to take place across the borough over the next four weeks to help remind residents about the importance of good oral health, so we can all enjoy having a healthy smile.

The theme of this year’s campaign is ‘Swap Sugars and Snack Smarter’ and the council is working with Change4Life to deliver Sugar Swaps’ advice to parents across Oldham.

If you want to find out more about the ‘Sugar Swaps Tool’, just visit: www.NHS.uk/change4life

Councillors will also be sharing tips and advice via their social media accounts – www.Facebook/loveoldham and www.twitter.com/oldhamcouncil.

Oldham has also set up Supervised Brushing campaign in in early years settings, school nurseries and reception classes across the borough where children take part in a ‘class brush’ with their teacher. 

Councillor Zhaid Chauhan, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said:

“Without good oral health, we are unable to communicate, eat and enjoy a variety of foods and socialise. This can affect our self-esteem, confidence, and readiness to learn – especially if you are a child.

“That is why it is incredibly important to have a healthy mouth as it aids to both our general health and wellbeing.

“With that in mind, we are hosting a variety of local events for this year’s national Smile

Month campaign to help reinforce our key messages around how you can improve and maintain your oral health - and how you can keep that all important smile.

For more information about the campaign, just visit: www.oldham.gov.uk/smilemonth

 

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