Wolverhampton shines a light on good oral health among young people

They include providing free toothbrushes and toothpaste through schools, training for early years professionals and targeted supervised brushing schemes.

Dental packs are being distributed via health visitors for toddlers and school nurses for reception-age pupils, as well as across early years settings for all three to four-year-olds.

There will also be a competition for primary-aged children to create a character that could be used in an oral health storybook for youngsters.

Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for adults and wellbeing, said, “National Smile Month provides an opportunity to raise the awareness of good oral health.

“Encouraging good oral health in our children is vital as tooth decay starts early in life – and those that have high levels of disease in their first teeth have an increased risk of disease in their permanent teeth.