Over 420 pupils at Carclaze Community Primary School will continue improving their oral health after West Carclaze Garden Village enhanced their commitment to Brighter Smiles - Cornwall's oral health campaign.

figure 1

Their generous £1,500 per annum contribution reflects the company's commitment to reversing the continuing trend of avoidable tooth extractions from children in Cornwall - a serious public health issue which sees around 20 children aged 5-9 admitted to hospital each week to have their teeth removed under general anaesthetic.

This support has enabled the Brighter Smiles team to set up toothbrushing clubs in the reception classes, apply fluoride varnish to the teeth of reception and year 1 pupils, and deliver oral health education to all the school's pupils with home education packs for all to encourage continued good practice at home with the whole family.

Simon Pollard, Head Teacher at Carclaze Community Primary School said 'We are extraordinarily grateful to West Carclaze Garden Village for continuing their generous support which will enable the Brighter Smiles team to have an even bigger positive impact on the oral health of our school community. The pupils really look forward to seeing the team and their dragon and engage so well with the fun oral health activities which fit so well with our school values of Care, Communicate, Persevere and Sparkle'.

In addition to Cornwall Council and West Carclaze Garden Village, Brighter Smiles is supported by local and national organisations. In previous years around 95 schools, nurseries and family hubs and 6,500 children have regularly engaged in the programme but with 280 schools in Cornwall there is still much more to do.