Northumberland Oral Health Strategy – A Reason to Smile
11 May 2023 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Ahead of National Smile Month, which starts on 15 May, the Health and Wellbeing Board today (11 May 2023) approved an updated Oral Health Strategy and Action Plan for Northumberland.
The extended Northumberland Oral Health Strategy 2022-2025 aims to improve the oral health of Northumberland’s communities and will contribute to the reduction of oral health inequalities.
Key areas of work outlined in the action plan include:
-Giving every child the best start in life
-Improving the oral health of older people
-Service development and commissioning
-Partnership working
Cllr Wendy Pattison, cabinet member for Adult Wellbeing at Northumberland County Council, said: “Oral health is an important part of the overall health and wellbeing of individuals and poor oral health will have significant impacts on many aspects of an individual’s life.
“There are also inequalities in good oral health, and, like many other health issues, poor oral health is more prevalent in more deprived areas. Approval of the updated Oral Health Strategy and actions outlined in the plan are key in tackling this.
“We will also be supporting the Oral Health Foundation’s National Smile month which raises awareness of important oral health issues and has a focus this year on the importance of brushing our teeth.”
Gill O’Neill, Director of Public Health at Northumberland County Council, said: “We are working hard to ensure we do all we can to improve the oral health of residents in Northumberland.
“Poor oral health can have an effect on the whole of an individual’s life course as, in addition to the obvious pain caused by dental decay in childhood, it also leads to children missing school and a resultant effect on education attainment, parents and carers taking time off work and also poor self-esteem and anxiety as a result of the pain and subsequent treatment and appearance of decaying teeth.
“To help to raise awareness about oral health, we will be supporting National Smile Month by sharing tips about how to keep your mouth healthy.
“Twice daily toothbrushing is the cornerstone to good oral health by preventing the build-up of plaque, causing tooth decay and gum disease. Yet despite the benefits of toothbrushing, in the UK, around one-in-three people do not brush twice a day.”