On Friday 19 June, the British Society of Dental Hygiene & Therapy is running First Smiles, a campaign aiming to introduce oral health education to young children in the classroom. Dental hygienist Katrina Britton is a staunch advocate of delivering better oral health for children. As she says in her own words, 'it's all about education'. Having worked with children previously, Katrina knows the value of early intervention before it is too late.

'The aim of dental health promotion in schools is to inform pupils, parents and staff how they may prevent dental disease and encourage the early adoption of oral health practices in young children. Recent evidence shows that school-based tooth brushing campaigns can be effective in reducing dental disease. First Smiles is an excellent opportunity for me to do this. As a dental hygienist I feel that it is our professional duty to impart our knowledge to help improve the community's dental health.

'In my area there are a lot of hygienists. I hope many others will unite and help to bring about reductions in the level of caries we see on a daily basis. I see it regularly. There are little pockets of deprivation in my local area, yet we know it is a bigger problem in some of the larger cities in the UK.

Katrina's top tips for holding an event:

  1. 1

    Be prepared. First Smiles is fantastic because it does give me plenty of incentive to get involved. The free toothbrushes are great. There's even a letter to contact a school if you're doing it for the first time. I often take a puppet, some disclosing tablets and a goody bag. It is important to have as many props with you as possible.

  2. 2

    Be creative. I am visiting two schools. For one I am going into their school, and the other I have invited them to the practice. I'll be transforming Noah's Ark Dental Practice into different stations. One will focus on healthy eating and the others will be a variety of role play sessions designed to make the children feel comfortable in the dental surrounding.

  3. 3

    Be welcoming. It may well be the first visit for many of the children. Establishing a relationship between you and them early is crucial to giving them the platform for good oral health habits. Children aren't born with a sweet tooth, nor are they born afraid of the dentist. The more welcoming the environment, the more chance we have of improving their oral health.