New research marks the launch of first oral health workshops by Action for Children
Recent research commissioned to mark the launch of oral health workshops from leading charity Action for Children – Gweithredu dros Blant and its partnership with The Wrigley Company Ltd, has revealed it’s still the simple pleasures in life that make our children smile.
The survey of parents and children in Wales reveals that pulling silly faces (46 per cent), reading stories (31 per cent) and playing hide and seek (23 per cent) remain the best and simplest ways of putting a smile on a child’s face.
To keep children smiling, from 23rd May to 16th July, Wrigley will make a donation to Action for Children, from every pack of Extra® sugarfree gum sold in the UK. The monies raised during the eight week campaign will create the charity’s first ever oral health workshops aiming to educate thousands of children and their families.
A total of 690 educational sessions in the charity’s children centres and family support services, endorsed by the Oral Health Foundation will take place over a 12-month period from August 2016 to August 2017. Each child will also be kitted out with a specialist dental kit including a toothbrush, toothpaste and timer to encourage brushing.
Brigitte Gater, director of children’s services in Wales, said: “Too many children continue to be badly affected by poor oral health – but being able to smile with confidence is important for a child’s self-esteem and lifelong physical health.
“Our fun and informative workshops will aim to provide the opportunity for children and families to develop a better understanding of the importance of oral health and the practical tools they need to maintain it.”
Action for Children is also asking the public to raise awareness of children’s oral health, by taking a picture of their best smile, tweet it to @actnforchildren and then nominate someone to take up the challenge.
To find out more visit actionforchildren.org.uk/smile
