CDOs from England, Wales and Scotland, along with other major organizations across dentistry came together today to launch the Dental Check by One campaign.
The campaign, by the British Society of Pediatric Dentistry (BSPD), aims to remind parents and carers of the importance of children seeing a dentist by the age of one.
BSPD believes that the first visit to the dentist is an important opportunity for a child to begin a lifetime of positive dental care and for parents to receive advice on how to keep their child’s teeth healthy and strong.
“Two and three-year-olds are being admitted to hospital for extractions under general anaesthetic, so we need to contact families early to provide prevention support,” said Claire Stevens, consultant in pediatric dentistry and president of BSPD.
“We hope Dental Check by One will raise awareness of caring for children’s teeth from an early age – children’s teeth matter!”
Sara Hurley, CDO for England, spoke at the launch, congratulating the BSPD and Claire Stevens for highlighting the importance of children’s oral health.
Fresh from the live talk BBC News, Sara supported the campaign, reminding dentists that a one-year-old’s check-up is covered under the 2006 dental policy – ”Don’t be afraid to get a check-up from one,” she said.
“The opportunities and benefits of Dental Check by One are a vital element in tackling health inequality and ensuring a smile for life for every child,” continued Sara.
“By working with families, the British Society of Pediatric Dentistry and the dental profession, we are taking an important step towards realizing our ambition of a cavity-free generation of children.
Margie Taylor, CDO for Scotland, also took the opportunity to congratulate the BSPD on their Dental Check by One campaign.
Speaking of the interview at BBC News earlier in the morning, Margie said: “Congratulations on your Dental Check by One campaign.
“I think getting a few minutes on national TV like this is huge and worth a huge amount (to help spread the word about the importance of one’s dental checkup).”
Colette Bridgman, CDO for Wales, highlighted the importance oral health campaigns can have on children.
Designed2smile launched in Wales in 2010 and has helped reduce the number of children experiencing wear from half the population to just over 30%.
“I think if we don’t deliver our kids, what do we do?” said Colette.
“This is one of the most important groups of the population and they need a focus.”
Other organizations pledging their support for the Dental Check by One campaign include: the British Medical Association, the Local Government Association, the Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons (England), the School of General Dentistry (UK), the Royal College of General Practitioners, Oral Health Foundation, Community Practitioners and Health Visitors Association, British Orthodontic Society, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Royal College of General Practitioners, Institute of Health Visiting, British Association of Dental Nurses, Society of British Dental Nurses, Oral Health Promotion Group and Public Health England.
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