Hammersmith & Fulham Council in London have sponsored the publication of Dinosaur Douglas and the beastly bugs to help drive down the rate of dental caries in young people.

Dinosaur Douglas is an ‘expert toothbrusher with a bright white smile’, created by children's author Heather Maisner. The book weaves evidence-based messages about diet and toothbrushing into an engaging, rhyming story with colourful illustrations. Its publication coincided with the British Dental Health Foundation's National Smile Month 2014.

Three thousand copies of Heather's book have been given out to children in nursery and reception classes across Hammersmith and Fulham along with a toothbrush and toothpaste, and copies have also been given to local libraries and children's centres.

Twenty-eight percent of five-year-olds in Hammersmith and Fulham have decayed, missing or filled teeth, and tooth decay is the top cause for child hospital admissions in the area.

The book was launched on ‘Healthy Teeth Day’, 11 June, at Melcombe Children's Centre in Hammersmith. At the event, oral health experts from Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust demonstrated mouth care techniques to parents and children and explained the importance of good brushing and other bedtime routines, such as reading to children.

www.nhs.uk/livewell/dentalhealth

Did your dental practice get involved with National Smile Month? Email bdjteam@nature.com