- British Dental Health Foundation
Transcription
- British Dental Health Foundation
WordofMouth ISSUE 07 / MAY 2013 National Smile Month Profession Edition NATIONALSMILEMONTH May 20 - June 20 British Dental Health Foundation WordofMouth CONTENTS DR NIGEL CARTER OBE Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation 04 Lifetime Award for Charity Boss Dr Nigel Carter at the Dental Awards 14-15 Making a Case for the Campaign Your National Smile Month stories 05 16-17 Oxford Team Revved Up For Success Smile Success The Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust Oral Health Promotion Team 06-07 Major Organisations Back Campaign National Smile Month 2013 sponsors Jane Butterworth opens up the doors for NSM 18-19 The Oral Healthcare Programme Louisa Rowntree discusses the Wrigley Oral Heathcare Programme 20-21 08-09 Taking Part in National Smile Month Looking After Their Smiles Getting involved in this year’s campaign NUK and the importance of a baby’s health 10-11 National Smile Month in Schools 22-23 Special Smiles 12-13 National Smile Month: The W’s 24-25 Shop Bring smiles into the classroom A brief guide to National Smile Month Dr Amber Qureshi and the Special Olympics Resource offers for National Smile Month 2013 Over the last 37 years National Smile Month has continued to broadcast positive oral health messages throughout the UK. In 2013, National Smile Month will attempt to decrease the gap in the levels of oral health that currently exists between the socio-economic groups of the UK, to once again try and improve the nation’s health for the better. I have been delighted to see National Smile Month growing consistently as a campaign for many years now. Its success has been down the continued support, for both the campaign and the Foundation itself, from the profession – especially in light of the NHS reforms and the economic downturn, which we first feared could have had a disastrous impact on investment in oral health education. To all these, I thank you. National Smile Month events organised by practices, hospitals and oral health educators have made a tremendous impact in increasing the scale of the campaign but we are constantly discovering that it is having an impact in other areas as well. Workplaces and in particular schools are now embracing the campaign with fun sponsored events, which is fantastic, not only for the campaign itself but for the impact it’s messages have on those who take part. I am quite certain, and delighted by the fact, that the impact of the oral health campaign on the public remains as strong as ever. For this, we owe our greatest thanks to the many dental practices up and down the UK who took the time and invested in resources to put hold some spectacular events which not only draw in the crowds, but more importantly, manage to educate people of all ages and backgrounds on the importance and value of maintaining good oral health. And finally, I would also like to thank our corporate sponsors for National Smile Month; Platinum sponsors Oral-B, Wrigley Extra and Listerine, together with Philips, Lloyds Pharmacy, Bupa, Invisalign, NUK and Denplan who all heavily contribute and invest in the campaign, their efforts are very much appreciated by all here at the Foundation. I hope you enjoy this special edition of Word of Mouth and have fun in National Smile Month in 2013 – I wish the best of luck to all those who get involved. David Westgarth [email protected] WordofMouth Editor David Westgarth Art Director Doychin Sakutov Guest Writers David Arnold Jane Butterworth Louisa Rowntree Dr Amber Qureshi NUK Educational Resources Amanda Oakey Becky Sollis Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, has been awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award at this year’s Dental Awards. Nigel has been Chief Executive of the Foundation since 1997 and was previously Chairman and trustee within the organisation. The charity, which he helped to found, continues to go from strength to strength. The Foundation’s accreditation scheme now operates in over 60 countries worldwide where its standards and specialist services are as valued in the protection of public dental health as they are in the UK. The success did not stop there, as Nigel has also been entered onto the British Dental Association’s Roll of Distinction to be presented at the BDA Awards Dinner in November. The awards cap a remarkable 12 months for Nigel, who was also awarded an OBE for his services to dentistry in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list last year. Nigel said: “I am truly honoured to have received these accolades. They reflect tremendously well on the standing the Foundation has within the industry that I was even discussed as a nominee, let alone the recipient. “It gives me great delight to know our work has not gone un-noticed. There is still a great deal more we can do collectively, yet with the support of the profession 4 and industry I am confident levels of oral health will continue to improve.” Nigel trained as a dentist at Birmingham University, and as well as having his own practices in Birmingham he also ran a company training dental nurses and dental technicians. Overseeing the Foundation’s work including National Smile Month and Mouth Cancer Action Month, Nigel works with health departments, representatives of major health, cancer, dental and medical organisations. Nigel is also Trustee and treasurer of the Royal Society for Public Health and takes a strong interest in Public Health, the current NHS reorganisation and the social determinants of health. Commenting on the Outstanding Achievement award, John Siebert, President of the British Dental Health Foundation, said: “I am sure I speak on behalf of the profession when I say congratulations to Nigel on such a prestigious recognition. It is very well deserved and is a testament to the hard work, time and passion that he has dedicated to the Foundation. “Nigel is a great advocate for the dental health profession, and he has helped to shape and challenge the way we think about oral health in this country. Thanks to his work with the Foundation, thousands of dental professionals past, present and future have been inspired to help their patients improve their oral health.” myMagazine WordofMouth myMagazine WordofMouth LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR CHARITY BOSS OXFORD TEAM REVVED UP FOR SUCCESS Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust Oral Health Promotion Team has scooped the ‘Best National Smile Month Event’ at this year’s Dental Awards. Held at the Lancaster London Hotel on Friday night 19 April, the Dental Awards recognise and reward the highest standards in UK dentistry and oral healthcare. The Oxford team won the award for their contribution to the campaign, eclipsing their ‘highly commended’ recognition from last year. Using the Cherwell District Council NHS health bus, the ‘Smile Month 2012 Roadshow’ rolled into Abingdon, Banbury and Oxford to dish out oral health information and some fun oral health treats too. Heather Duignan, Health Improvement Practitioner/ Manager from Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to have won this year’s award for ‘Best National Smile Month Event’. We are a small but dedicated team and feel privileged that our efforts have been recognised by the judging panel amongst what we are sure was very stiff competition. Making the finals was a huge achievement for our team and winning the award has given us a huge sense of accomplishment, not only for ourselves but also for the dental service and our Trust. We take pride in all our work, and a sense of satisfaction in making a positive difference to our patients and the wider public. As with many public sector roles, we don’t expect accolades for what we do. Maybe that is why when a pat on the back does come along makes it all the more appreciated and meaningful.” Simon Howell, Director of Campaigns at the British Dental Health Foundation, and one of the judges of the award said: “It is testament to the team at Oxford NHS Foundation Trust that after narrowly missing out on this award last year they went back and improved the event this year. “The standard of this year’s entries was particularly impressive. National Smile Month in 2012 took on a new dimension with the introduction of the ‘Smiley’. It’s back for 2013, and I look forward to an even better standard next year.” The Oxford team weren’t the only ones to scoop a prize during the evening. Sponsored by Colgate with proceeds going to Mouth Cancer Action Month, three lucky raffle winners also had a night to remember. Presented by John Siebert President of the Foundation, the top prize was a trip to New York, followed by a 12-bottle case of champagne and a 12-bottle case of wine. The Foundation wishes to thank Colgate for their continuing support and generosity and welcomes other commercial sponsors to help raise awareness of this ever-growing disease. For information on sponsorship, National Smile Month or Mouth Cancer Action Month, please contact the Foundation on 01788 539792. 5 WordofMouth myMagazine WordofMouth SUPPORTERS OF MAJOR ORGANISATIONS NATIONAL SMILE BRING A SMILE TO MONTH ORAL HEALTH CAMPAIGN The UK’s largest oral health campaign is being backed by some of the nation’s bestknown brands. Despite major improvements since National Smile Month launched in 1977, millions of people in the UK are still affected by poor oral health. Two in every three adults have visible dental plaque, and three in every ten suffer from regular dental pain. It is estimated that a quarter of adults don’t brush their teeth twice a day, including a third of men. Only half of the population visit their dentist every six months, while around a quarter of all adults have not visited a dentist in the past two years. National Smile Month, which runs from 20 May to 20 June 2013, is organised by UK charity the British Dental Health Foundation and encourages everyone to follow three basic rules for great oral health throughout life: • Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, • Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks, • Visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend. Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, said: “I would like to thank all sponsors and supporters for their backing during National Smile Month. Their involvement means millions 6 of people in the UK will be encouraged to improve their oral health and the many benefits this brings. The British Dental Health Foundation would like to thank the following sponsors who are helping to make everyone smile in 2013 with their educational grants and generous charitable support. “More than 2,000 organisations and companies have registered for this year’s campaign, while almost 300,000 of the National Simile Month ‘Smileys’ have been sent out. With the support of our sponsors and dental professionals across the country, together we can aid improvements in oral health.” James Fulton from Listerine said: “Listerine are proud to partner with the Foundation to support National Smile Month 2013. We are dedicated to improving the UK’s oral health and think that National Smile Month is a great way to get people thinking about the importance of a good oral hygiene routine. We look forward to working together to delivering another successful campaign this year!” Irafan Omerji, Oral-B Market Strategy & Planning Manager added: “Oral-B are proud to be a platinum sponsor of National Smile Month! Oral-B is dedicated to enabling the dental profession to improve the oral health of their patients with clinically proven innovations that serve the nation in having healthy beautiful smiles.” Katie Codd, Wrigley Extra Brand Manager, said: “Extra is proud once again to be a Platinum Sponsor of National Smile Month. We see National Smile Month is an important and effective campaign for promoting better oral health and we are excited to be supporting again in 2013.” SPONSORSHIP IN 2014 If you would like to support or sponsor National Smile Month in 2014, please contact Simon Howell at the British Dental Health Foundation at [email protected] for a sponsorship pack. 7 WordofMouth WordofMouth TAKE PART IN NATIONAL SMILE MONTH – IT’S NOT TOO LATE! The first steps are easy…. simply let us know that you’re interested in the campaign and we’ll send you lots of great National Smile Month material, information and resources. These include a campaign guide, resources catalogue, newsletters, logos and artwork and lots more vital information! Finally, we are giving away thousands of free smileys – the symbol of this year’s campaign. They are great fun, make anyone smile and also remind everyone how to take care of their teeth with our three messages for great oral health printed on the reverse. Each organisation who registers will receive five free smileys. If you’re reading this and not yet involved in National Smile Month 2013, don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time to get on board. REGISTER YOUR EVENT Tell us about your event for National Smile Month! National Smile Month events can be all shapes and sizes, from street parties and mass participation events to oral health displays or educational talks in a nearby school. But whether your celebration is big or small, please get in touch and tell us about your National Smile Month plans. Please let us know what you are planning for your organisation, school or community. Each year MPs, members of the public as well as local, national and trade media ask us what is happening in their area for National Smile Month. We might be able to help you to gain recognition and media coverage you are looking for. And even if you may not need the extra publicity, please still tell us about your event, as the more events we know about, the more we can meet the needs of our participants in future years. Simply send us an email to [email protected] with your name, organisation, address, telephone number and your event details – it’s that easy! Alternatively, just give us a call on 01788 539 792 and express your interest in the campaign – we would love to hear from you! Dental Awards 2014 When registering your event with us, you will automatically be entered into the 2014 Dental Awards for the ‘Best National Smile Month Event’ category. The awards recognise exceptional individuals, teams and practices that are at the top of their profession and present a fantastic opportunity for them to show how remarkable they are. 8 9 myMagazine WordofMouth WordofMouth MAKING A CLASSROOM SMILE THEIR WAY THROUGH LIFE BY DAVID ARNOLD It is a staggering thought, but in Primary Schools across the UK around eight or nine children in every class will have already developed tooth decay. That’s approaching a quarter of a million children in each primary school year and around 3.3 million young people aged 0-14 years. Yet poor oral health is one of the most preventable common childhood diseases in the world. All that’s required is education and a good daily oral health routine. In most cases, it’s nothing more than doing the following: • Brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste • Cutting down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks • Visiting your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend Schools, working with parents and health professionals, have an important role to play in educating young people about healthy lifestyles, including their oral care. Introducing oral health into the school curriculum, especially at Key Stage 1 and 2, can make a big difference. Research has shown that people who learn good habits as children are far more likely to carry them into adulthood. One of the best times to promote oral health in schools is during National Smile Month - one of the UK’s longest running health campaigns. Born in 1977, National Smile Month has coincided with huge improvements in the UK’s oral health over the past few decades. But there’s still a lot more to do, especially with young people. National Smile Month is a proven event and attracts the support of many dentists and oral health educators. Many dental professionals allocate time during National Smile Month to work with schools and young people. Schools contacting their local dentist are generally pleasantly surprised how willing they are to give up some of their time to visit the classroom. Often, they 10 can have a profound effect on the attitude children will have towards the dentist. Throughout National Smile Month a series of fun classroom activities can keep children engaged and interested. The campaign is supported by hundreds of educational materials produced by the Foundation. There’s also a range of free resources available to download from this website to use in lessons. Even our very own ‘Happy the Hippo’ is on hand to promote the importance of healthy mouths. In the classroom, using photographs and puzzles to sequence the events of the visit to the dental practice, identifying and labelling the components of a dental surgery using healthcare jigsaws and role-play will provide confidence and encourage the children to go to the dentist when outside the group. For 2013, the symbol of National Smile Month is our ‘Smiley’. It’s guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face from the youngest pupil to the Chair of School Governors. It’s a lot of fun, as well as encouraging everyone to adopt a great daily oral health routine. The ‘smile on a stick’ is ideal to run a ‘Smileathon’ throughout the school and will help to make oral health education a fun and memorable event. If you don’t fancy a ‘Smileathon there’s lots of other things to do. A ‘best smile’ competition often works very well, as does a ‘Brushathon’. Other alternatives include holding a themed day during the campaign where the children can dress up and play the different roles of a dental practice, or create a colourful and eye-catching display made in the classroom. By working together in National Smile Month local practices, oral health teams and teachers can share their knowledge and experiences to make a positive difference for thousands of children in the UK, particularly in more deprived areas where inequalities in health are more apparent. For more information about National Smile Month and how to get involved, head to www.smilemonth.org. In 2012, nearly 500 children could barely contain their smiles at St Marie’s Catholic Primary School and Nursery, in Rugby, as they held a whole day dedicated to sinking their teeth into some oral health facts and fun as part of National Smile Month. Using Dental Buddy in National Smile Month Last month, the British Dental Health Foundation launched Dental Buddy – a site which is dedicated to improving the oral health of young children in the UK. Dental Buddy hosts a series of educational resources for Early Years Education, Key Stage One and Key Stage Two, including activity sheets, lesson plans and interactive presentations. All of which are freely downloadable from this site, to take into the classroom. The aim of Dental Buddy is to increase children’s knowledge of oral health and encourage health oral hygiene practices from an early age. Please go over to the site and use the resources available to supplement your National Smile Month activity and help us in achieving our goals. 11 myMagazine WordofMouth WordofMouth NATIONAL SMILE MONTH: DO YOU KNOW THE W’S? WHEN National Smile Month starts on 20 May and finishes on 20 June. Every year the month-long focus on oral health grabs the attention of thousands of organisations. This year more than 2,000 have told us they will be taking part, and it’s not too late to register your interest. Visit www.smilemonth.org and fill out the online registration form to get hold of your five FREE smileys, your campaign guide and resource catalogue. WHY As the countdown to National Smile Month continues, we take a look at some of the basics behind the UK’s largest oral health campaign. WHAT WHO In 1977, an oral health campaign was launched. National Smile Week proved to be so successful; we decided a month wasn’t long enough. So in 2006 National Smile Month was born, and it was soon clear that the campaign had already helped to change the levels of oral health in the UK. The campaign is run by the British Dental Health Foundation, the UK’s leading oral health charity. With the backing of platinum sponsors Listerine, Oral-B and Extra and the support of Philips, Lloyds Pharmacy, Argos, Invisalign, Bupa, NUK and Denplan, this year’s campaign is shaping up to be the biggest yet. FACT! The proportion of the population with no natural teeth in England, Northern Ireland and Wales has fallen to just six per cent in 2009. In 1978, the figure was as high as 37 per cent in Wales. FACT! The majority of adults (71 per cent) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are now free of visible dental decay on the surfaces of their teeth. FACT! In 2009, two thirds (66.6 per cent) of children aged 12 were found to be free of visible dental decay. In 1973, this figure was less than 10 per cent. Of course there is still more to do, and that is what this year’s campaign will strive to achieve. 12 The best thing about the campaign is this; everyone can get involved. Even if your budgets are smaller than the proverbial shoestring, it’s really easy to pass key oral health messages on. The three you need to remember are: • Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste. • Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks. • Visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend. From dental practices, poker companies and lawyers to education centres & sports teams , anyone and everyone has the chance to smile behind our Smiley – the icon of the campaign. There are a number of reasons you should get involved with National Smile Month, but instead of listening to us drone on, here are a few suggestions from the people who matter most – event organisers. “It highlighted to parents the importance of taking their children to the dentist from an earlier age than they thought they should. Working with the local dentist has also improved referral rates.” “Hold a Brushathon and/or Smileathon, as you then have a captive audience. Easy access to online resources helped.” “The resources really helped to support the message between school and home without being making me sound like a dictator – a serious message delivered in a fun way.” “Smileys were a great idea for engaging children. In one of our sessions children had the opportunity to make their own smiley to take home with them.” “The three key messages were simple enough for patients to understand and good for us to elaborate on.” “I work for an organisation that works with the Job Centre helping the long-term unemployed back into work. For some people, the barrier to employment is personal hygiene, so highlighting this issue could potentially help people return back to work.” WHERE To help you as much as possible, here are a few key resources to make planning and holding an event easy peasy! www.smilemonth.org – it’s the hub of activity throughout the campaign! If you’re going to be working with schools, get the help of Buddy. He’s here to teach children how to look after their teeth and mouth and www.dentalbuddy.org has a number of free downloadable lesson plans and activities designed to make your job easier. To help as many people as possible get involved, National Smile Month organisers have made a number of fun activities and resources. To see what’s available and to get your hands on a press release template to tell the world what you’re up to, visit www.smilemonth.org/page/downloads. 13 WordofMouth WordofMouth MAKING A CASE FOR NATIONAL SMILE MONTH With less than three weeks to go until National Smile Month 2013 starts, thousands of organisations across the country and putting the finishing touches to this year’s events. For those who haven’t quite made their mind up yet, here are two examples for last year’s campaign to give you some ideas. Spicer Road Dental Practice National Smile Month in Oxfordshire Hygienist Corinne Mcelligott spoke to care home staff about a series of oral health issues relating to older To give you a flavour of what can make a successful campaign, look no further than the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. They supported National Smile Month by running three events out in the community on the Health Bus and recently scooped the ‘Best National Smile Month Event’ at the Dental Awards. Free samples of denture brushes were given out as well as information on spotting mouth cancer. Barmans The Oral Health Promotion team and colleagues from Oxfordshire Salaried Primary Care Dental Service were talking to members of the public outside the bus, giving out oral health information and advice. A dentist from the service gave free oral health checks to members of the public on board the bus. Representatives from local dental practices also attended, ready to offer NHS dental care at their surgeries to those looking for a dentist. Their team gave away various National Smile Month resources including Smileys, stickers and sugar-free lollies. They also gave away other resources such as fuzzy bugs, toothbrushes, toothpaste samples, and health information leaflets. As part of the campaign, the team ran a joke competition from the health bus. The person with the best joke won a hamper of exciting oral health treats – including an electric toothbrush. Over the three health bus events, a total of 61 members of the public received free dental checks, and approximately 250 people received oral health information. 14 National Smile Month means a lot to Spicer Road Dental Practice. Participating in the campaign is a way for them to reach out to people and help them. Being able to visit schools is a chance for them to get young children to participate and introduce them to dentistry in a friendly way. people. Staff members at the care home were shown a series of magnified pictures of plaque on a denture. Superbrush was recommended for residents who had dementia and dry mouth solutions and erosion were also discussed. Xylitol was looked at as a possible substitute for sugar consumed in all those afternoon biscuits. National Smile Month smileys and stickers were distributed among 300 children at a local school. All children participated in a ‘Brushathon’ and were taught about good toothbrushing technique and learned about the value of good diet. Four care homes were visited by the team, including the Strand Nursing Home, Starcross. Staff members and residents learned about cleaning their dentures and were also educated about plaque, sore mouth, mouth cancer and diet. Children at the schools are embracing these messages and eager to learn about their oral health. These children are just a few from around the UK that are learning the value of looking after their teeth, through National Smile Month, which will undoubtedly have a positive effect on their health in the future. If you’ve planned an event for this year’s campaign and want to tell the world about it, please email pr@ dentalhealth.org and we’ll put the details on our dedicated website! 15 WordofMouth WordofMouth SMILE SUCCESS Jane Butterworth opens up the doors on her practice's plans for National Smile Month. We work as a close team priding ourselves in providing the highest standard of dental care. We maintain a strong preventative ethos, enabling patients to avoid future dental problems through a range of measures such as early detection, oral health education combined with product advice and other treatment modalities. During National Smile Month, we are offering special discounts on examinations and products such as Oral-B toothbrushes. We are also holding our Invisalign open day this month to raise awareness of teeth straightening in relation to good oral health and maintenance and systemic disease. We will be offering substantial discounted fees in a bid to raised awareness of the importance of good oral health for all-round health. Getting there Excellent communication is key to patients taking care of their teeth and our patient care pathway begins the minute anyone calls and speaks with the practice. Advice is available on the phone even before the patient walks through the door. Knowledge is paramount to the patient to enable them to make an informed decision on treatment options. Patients are encouraged to visit our fabulous dental therapist on a regular basis (at least every three months) for hygiene maintenance and to ensure patients stay motivated. We also offer advice on diet, smoking cessation – all free of charge! All staff members are trained to offer this advice to ensure that there is plenty of time available to for patients to ask questions and understand. 16 Regular team meetings and lots of lunchtime updates keep staff abreast on new products and techniques. Staff training ensures everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet. The team is encouraged to attend meetings such as the ADI and these are funded by the practice. We are a small practice with lovely patients who are often recommended by existing patients and, because it is small it is like a close family, we support each other and encourage all staff to participate in all areas of the practice and treat patients as part of that family. Regular visits and a comfortable and warm atmosphere ensure compliance from patients, too. We never leave patients feeling unable to ask advice and we demonstrate huge encouragement and praise for when patients show improvement. Selling points Our main seller is the Oral-B professional toothbrush range and the Pro-Expert toothpaste. We do stock a variety of products depending on what is required for the patients needs. Our practice provides implants, orthodontics all of which rely on good oral health for the long-term success of the treatment. We plan to keep our patients for life so we’ve a vested interest in keeping them healthy! Recommending products that you know work can be highly motivating – patients can see and feel the difference when using these products – particularly in stain reduction which leads to increased oral health awareness and personal confidence. Dr Jane Butterworth has been practising dentistry for almost 30 years, after gaining her qualifications in 1984. Jane has been placing and restoring implants since 1990 and has 20-plus years of experience. Her implant treatments range from single tooth replacement to full mouth rehabilitation including All on 4 and same day teeth. She also offers the simple mini implant system for patients requiring Make them smile dentures and has a keen interest in orthodontics. She is able to provide both removable, fixed braces and Invisalign National Smile Month is the UK’s largest oral aligners. She has been Invisalign certified since 2004 and health campaign. This year it kicks off on 20 has held Platinum status accreditation with Invisalign for May and finishes on 20 June. Right at the heart the past seven years. Her practice – Higher Lane Dental of it you’ll find three key messages that can go Practice – is situated in the heart of Cheshire in the village a long way to improving oral health. They are: High five! 1. Never offer a patient less than they deserve and always aim to provide the highest standard possible 2. Listen to the patient’s needs, treating each one as an individual and considering the patient as a ‘whole’ 3. Work closely with your practice team encouraging continual professional development 4. Establishing mutual respect and appreciation within the team – they are ALL essential ingredients or cogs in the machine 5. Accept that you are not perfect and, if mistakes do occur, always be honest. Refer when you need to. 1. Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste 2. Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks. 3. Visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend Sounds simple? You’d think so, but there’s evidence to suggest not everyone keeps to these three most basic of messages. National Smile Month is a great opportunity for those who don’t to take stock of their oral health habits, and a great opportunity for those who do to pass the message onto others. Organised by the British Dental Health Foundation, National Smile Month was established in 1976. Now into its 37th year, the campaign has helped to change the oral health landscape of the UK. 17 WordofMouth WordofMouth IMPROVING OUR ORAL HEALTH: THE ORAL HEALTHCARE PROGRAMME By Louisa Rowntree, Wrigley Oral Heathcare Programme Manager Wrigley’s Extra is proud to, once again, be a Platinum sponsor of National Smile Month in 2013. Wrigley is committed to improving oral care understanding across the UK through its Oral Healthcare Programme which is why we work together with organisations like the BDHF to promote better oral health. It’s Wrigley’s mission to help patients to improve their oral healthcare routine through adding one simple and enjoyable step between twice-a-day brushing. And that is chewing sugarfree gum after eating and drinking, a convenient way for patients to look after their teeth whether in the car, in the office or ‘on the go’. Our message is supported by powerful independent research that proves that chewing sugarfree gum after eating and drinking increases the production of saliva and that this increased saliva flow helps the neutralisation of plaque 18 acids, helps maintain tooth mineralisation and helps reduce oral dryness. For many years Wrigley has been working with dental professionals in the UK to support the work they do with their patients to advise and help them to improve their oral health. We attend professional conferences and exhibitions up and down the country meeting dentists, hygienists, nurses and therapists providing them with the scientific information and samples they need to help them recommend chewing sugarfree gum to their patients as part of their oral care routine. This year Wrigley launched the first of a new series of free web-based Continuing Professional Development sessions as part of our on-going efforts to support dental professionals in their role as oral care educators, providing the knowledge they need about the benefits of chewing sugarfree gum to pass onto their patients. The new CPD series is based on the recently released book, Saliva and Oral Health, Fourth Edition (by Michael Edgar, Colin Dawes and Denis O’Mullane, December 2012) and it has been created in partnership with Stephen Hancocks Ltd. As part of our continued investment in oral care, 2013 has also seen the launch of a new 46-pellet bottle. It’s convenient size and shape means that it can be carried around in a handbag, placed in the car or simply placed on a desk in the office, all those places where ‘grazers’ people who eat small meals and snacks throughout the day – one of the groups most at risk of developing oral health problems, are likely to be found. In research* conducted by Wrigley 85% of consumers surveyed agreed that it is a great idea to chew sugarfree gum after eating and drinking which supports Wrigley’s efforts to promote the idea of on-the-go oral healthcare through its Eat, Drink, Chew, Extra campaign. That’s the message we’re passionate about and we’re working hand in hand with dental professionals to help spread the word. For more information or to order free samples of Extra sugar free gum for your patients visit our website on www.wrigleyoralhealthcare.co.uk. *1,000 UK adults (aged 16+) surveyed 11th December 2012 by One Poll. OnePoll are members of ESOMAR and employ members of the MRS. Office professionals included in this research refer to respondents in full time work 19 NUK. Understanding Life NUK First Choice Bottles & Teats For more than 60 years, NUK has been listening to the trusted experts; midwives, doctors, nutritionists and especially mothers and fathers, in order to learn about the needs of mother and baby in those precious early years. This knowledge and experience has helped NUK develop into a global leader in the baby care market, offering a range of bottles, teats and soothers to both consumers and medical professionals. The NUK orthodontic, asymmetric shape is designed to optimally fit baby’s mouth, encouraging the healthy development of the oral cavity. For this reason, NUK are the only brand to have both teats and soothers approved by the British Dental Health Foundation. In 1956 NUK launched the first ever teat to be based on medical research, and in 2003 revolutionised the range by introducing NUK ‘First Choice’. These teats became the new standard, offering an asymmetric shape which provides the tongue and jaw enough room for natural sucking movements. In just the same way as at a mother’s breast whilst feeding, the important muscles of the mouth are exercised when drinking with a NUK First Choice Teat, while also encouraging the interplay of the tongue, lips and jaw - a later prerequisite for learning how to chew and speak. NU K p ro d uc t s a re n ow ava i l a b l e i n ove r 1 1 0 co unt r i e s wo r l d w i d e ! NU K te at s a n d s o o t h e r s a re s t i l l d i s t r i b ute d i n h o s p i t a l s wo r l d w i d e, w i t h ove r 3 m i l l i o n te at s d i s t r i b ute d i n U K hospitals in 2012 alone! NUK Genius Soothers The NUK Genius Soother has been developed in partnership with experts worldwide, and is the new generation of NUK soother. Still based on the approved orthodontic NUK shape, but improved with a softer and more flexible baglet, to further reduce the pressure on baby’s jaw and teeth, as well as the risk of teeth misalignment. “The NUK Genius Soother optimally promotes the operational interplay of jaws, palate, tongue, lips and teeth which is a precondition for ingestion, breathing and speech development, thus making it an important contribution to healthy overall development.” WordofMouth WordofMouth Looking after their smile right from the very start… D i d You K now ? The British Dental Health Foundation Says… What if a baby sucks their thumb or needs a dummy? If they can, ask parents to avoid using a dummy and discourage thumb sucking. These can both eventually cause problems with how the teeth grow and develop, which could potentially result in orthodontic treatment when the child gets older. If a baby needs a dummy, there are ‘orthodontic’ soothers or dummies that reduce the risk of these problems. So if a baby does want to use a dummy, make sure parents choose an orthodontic one. Look for products that carry the British Dental Health Foundation approved logo. Never dip a baby’s dummy or teething ring into fruit syrups, honey, fruit juices or anything containing sugars, particularly at bedtime. The harmful sugars and acids can attack a baby’s newly formed teeth and cause decay. Dr.Med.dent.H.von Treuenfels NUK Accreditations & Features BDHF NUK is the only brand to have both teats and soothers approved by the British Dental Health Foundation. NUK is also proud to be an official sponsor of National Smile Month in 2013. NUK Air System All NUK teats and soothers benefit from a special Air System which is designed to help stop baby from swallowing air, and reduce the chance of infant colic. NUK Orthodontic Shape NUK teats and soothers are based on the shape of a mother’s nipple during breastfeeding. This creates a natural drinking action and optimal flow of milk, for as natural a feeding experience as possible. 20 BPA-free All NUK teats and soothers are 100% BPA-free. For more information on NUK products please visit nuk.co.uk or call 01905 450 300. NUK is a registered trademark of Mapa GmbH/Germany. 21 WordofMouth WordofMouth SPECIAL OLYMPICS SPECIAL SMILES By Dr Amber Qureshi I first heard about Special Olympics International and its British contingent, Special Olympics Great Britain (SOGB) a couple of years ago through conversation with a member of their Board; the eminent humanitarian Mr Philip Nathan, MBE, Board member of MedicAlert International and the chairman of The MedicAlert Foundation (UK and Ireland), where I am a trustee. At the time, SOGB were hosting their National Games in Leicester in 2009. Four years on and the next National Games are upon us and as a special care dentist, I’m proud to be directing both their Special Smiles programme and their Healthy Athletes programme which, in addition to dentistry, also houses several other health disciplines such as Opening Eyes (eye tests and the provision of glasses) 22 Healthy Hearing (audiology tests and hearing aids), Fit Feet (podiatry) , Funfitness (physical therapy), Health Promotion (better health and well-being) and MedFest (sports physical exam). Healthy Athletes is a global movement with roots in the USA. In 1994, Dr. Steve Perlman, a Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine professor and long time advocate of people with intellectual disabilities, founded the Special Smiles® initiative after working with the Shriver family as they struggled to find adequate dental care for Rosemary Kennedy – sister of Eunice Kennedy Shriver (the founder of Special Olympics) and John F. Kennedy. Dr. Perlman’s concerns about health disparities for people with disabilities prompted the Officially launched in 1997, Healthy Athletes organizes its events in a welcoming, fun environment. Its screenings educate athletes on healthy lifestyle choices and identify problems that may need additional followup. across Great Britain. SOGB have proven that sport can transform the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, helping them to develop the skills and confidence and overcome the barriers and discrimination that they face everyday life. Miracles happen at every screening. A volunteer dentist from California, USA saved an athletes life by finding his mouth cancer. On another occasion, a female athlete in Egypt, fitted with a hearing aid, heard her language and her coach for the first time in her life. Stories like these are inspiring nations like Egypt to expand their offerings to athletes and all Special Olympics Egypt athletes now receive medical examinations and follow-up care. Right now SOGB has over 130 groups run by over 2,800 volunteers and provides coaching and competition opportunities to 8,000 intellectually disabled athletes. SOGB falls under the regulation of Special Olympics International and is part of the Olympic family, but is different to the general Olympic and Paralympic Games in that it provides year-round sports training and competition opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities (IQ 75 or below) of all abilities and ages, rather than a single event for elite (professional) athletes. The charity, led by sterling CEO Karen Wallin and her dedicated team is important in the lives of thousands of people with learning disabilities and their families This year SOGB has its National Summer Games (28th August-1st September, 2013) in Bath (golf ), with a few sports to be held in Bristol (swimming and bowling). There are just under 1,600 athletes competing this year and, as part of these games, there is a healthy athletes programme which I am coordinating and directing. I am looking for dental volunteers and dental supplies for the Special Smiles screenings. It’s a great opportunity and wonderfully heartwarming and inspiring experience. Special Olympics Great Britain transforms lives! Wouldn’t you like to be a part of that?! Please have a look at our website: www.specialolympicsgb.org.uk. Dr Amber Qureshi: Specialist in Special Care Dentistry / Clinical Director, Special Smiles, Special Olympics Great Britain / Healthy Athletes Program Director, Special Olympics Great Britain. 23 WordofMouth WordofMouth For enquiries, to request a complete catalogue, or to order call: 01788 539 793 email: [email protected] or visit www.dentalhealth.org/shop OFFER MAY 2013 24 25