NHS Dentistry and Oral Health June Update

This month's NHS Dentistry and Oral Health update from Jason Wong Deputy Chief Dental Officer England and Mhari Coxon President of the Oral Health Foundation includes a guest editorial from Mhari to celebrate National Smile Month 2023 and news on the 76th World Health Assembly Global Oral Health Action Plan.

They say:

"National Smile Month is a charity campaign which is dedicated to improving oral health and promoting the importance of a healthy mouth. It's organisers, the Oral Health Foundation, are keen to help dental teams by providing resources and tools for communication in practice, as well as for events and activities in local community settings. National Smile Month ran from 15 May to 15 June this year. Dental teams were encouraged to educate, motivate, and communicate the importance of good oral health to patients, children, local communities, and workforces everywhere. Please put May 2024 in your professional diary, and plan how your practice can take part by looking at all the different activities available here.

We were also pleased to read that the Global Oral Health Action Plan was formally adopted at the 76th World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the World Health Organization.

This is a crucial step to bring momentum and mobilise all actors to address the burden of oral diseases and common risk factors for non-communicable diseases while integrating oral health as part of general health and promoting cross-sectoral cooperation on good oral health worldwide. We hope that this assists the trajectory of oral health and dental care as we continue to navigate integrated care systems across England." 

Read the full NHS Dentistry and Oral Health Update