A campaign to introduce young children to oral health education in the classroom has been welcomed by the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) as an admirable initiative. The First Smiles campaign has been launched by the British Society of Dental Hygiene & Therapy (BSDHT). Members of BSDHT are being encouraged to make contact with local schools and nurseries to organise a visit on 19 June to teach oral health in a fun and informative way. BSDHT is providing ideas and resources.

Claire Stevens, spokeswoman for BSPD, said: ‘We know from recent surveys how important it is to ensure that all children have access to oral health advice, ideally at pre-school age. BSPD would love visits such as these included as part of a nationwide programme of prevention. When combined with targeted measures for those in greatest need, we may finally be able to reduce the large number of children experiencing dental decay and the current inequalities in oral health. Until then, it's admirable that hygienists and therapists are taking the initiative and going into schools and nurseries to make oral hygiene fun.’

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