The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a draft guideline to help local authorities improve oral health. The draft guideline makes recommendations to help councils work with other local organisations (such as the NHS, nurseries, schools, community centres and voluntary groups) to develop a local strategy on oral health and deliver community-based activities to:

  • Improve diet and reduce consumption of sugary food and drinks, alcohol and tobacco

  • Improve oral hygiene

  • Increase the availability of fluoride (such as using fluoride toothpaste - but water fluoridation is not within the scope of this guideline)

  • Increase access to dental services.

Professor Mike Kelly, Director for the Centre of Public Health at NICE, said: 'Helping local authorities to improve oral health in their communities is vital in helping people live a healthier life overall. We are keen to receive comments on this draft version of this new guideline from anyone who is likely to be involved in making key decisions in their local area. We also keen to hear from those delivering frontline services in dentistry, health, social care and education.'

A copy of the draft public health guidance can be found at http://guidance.nice.org.uk/PHG/61.