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Did you know that right now it is National Smile Month 2017? The 41st edition of the  annual oral health awareness campaign started on May 15th and runs until June 15th. Want to know more? Read on to learn how it all begun and how it has evolved to the present day.

Good things begin with smiles

The concept of National Smile Month was first created by the Oral Health Foundation (then the British Dental Health Foundation) in 1977. The aim was to address an increasingly critical problem of how to get people to look after their teeth, after studies revealed that over 60% of the population had lost some or all of their natural teeth. The campaign debuted with the ‘Smile 77’ project, a week long event which was created to break down the patient-dentist communication barriers that were seen to exist at the time.

At the heart of the project was the concept of preventative dentistry. This might seem standard practice today, but 40 years ago this was quite the opposite – at the time it could be seen as a dramatically reformed outlook on oral health care. A highlight of the 1977 campaign was poet Pam Ayres writing ‘Oh, I Wish I’d Looked After Me Teeth’ for the event – a poem that would later be voted into the top 10 of a BBC poll to find the Nation’s 100 Favourite Poems.

The current slogan ‘National Smile Month’ was introduced in 1979 and has remained unchanged ever since.

Into the eighties

With the huge interest from both dentists and the media and a willingness from those across the profession to participate, National Smile Month launched to a fantastic reception and the message quickly spread across the UK.

It was in 1984 that the campaign peaked public and media interest, as a result of the enormous launch at the iconic London Transport Museum. The theme for that year’s event was ‘Eat Well and Stay Biting Fit’, and healthy food buses were sent out into the city to bring the art of sugar-free cooking to thousands of children – a message whose importance has not diminished to the present day.

It was during the 1980’s that National Smile Month truly became a nationally recognised event, helping to establish its position as an important event on the annual health calendar.

Brushing to Brit Pop

It was the 1990’s – the golden age of Brit Pop. While the UK population was riding a new wave of popular music that seemed to redefine the very notion of ‘Britishness’. dentists and healthcare professionals were working hard to redefine attitudes towards dental health and encourage people young and old to look after their teeth. With an increasing amount of support and recognition for the campaign, the dental profession ensured that the message was spread into the heart of communities.

With millions of pounds worth of press coverage and dental practices using the event as a platform to bring oral health messages to the wider public, it continued to grow and grow.

The public became more aware of their own oral health under the ‘Show Your Teeth You Care!’ theme as they recognised the importance of eating the right foods, brushing your teeth and regular visits to the dentist all had in fighting tooth decay and gum disease – all of which remain at the heart of the campaign’s message through to the present day.

Today, tomorrow and beyond

In 2016, National Smile Month celebrated its 40th year, establishing its position as the largest and longest-running oral health campaign in the world. With thousands of organisations now taking part, the campaign was able to reach over 60 million people worldwide, becoming the focal point of the dental world.

The key messages of the campaign today are:

• Brush your teeth last thing at night and on at least one other occasion with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks.
• Visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend.

At the award-winning Sharoe Green Dental Practice in Preston, we are dedicated to providing the best possible dental care possible for all the family, here in our friendly, calm environment. We focus on preventative dentistry, helping our patients of every age to have a healthy and confident smile. To book an appointment now or enquire about becoming a member, call us on Preston 01772 718753 or click here to book an appointment online.

This article is adapted from National Smile Month – History and Background

http://www.nationalsmilemonth.org/history-background/