Healthy Teeth, Happy Smiles

Healthy Teeth, Happy Smiles aims to improve the oral health of children and adults in Leicester, and reduce tooth decay and associated health issues.

National Smile Month (18 May to 18 June)

We are encouraging people across Leicester to take part from home. Tuesday 19 May is ‘Tooth Tickling Tuesday’ and we would love to see your funny toothbrushing photos! You could dress up in a costume or stand in the garden whilst brushing your teeth, it’s up to you! Send in your pictures by using the hashtag #SmileLeicester or by emailing them to us at healthyteethhappysmiles@leicester.gov.uk.

We also have an activity pack for younger children to complete, which you can download at the bottom of this page. Remember in lockdown it is as important as ever to brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day.

Do you know about the 'Brush, book, bed' routine?

Find tools and get tips to help establish good brushing habits and make it a routine.

Read more about the 'Brush, book, bed' routine (PDF)

Healthy Teeth, Happy Smiles aims to provide:

• Free toothbrushes and toothpaste for children in oral health packs. All children in the city will receive five oral health care packs by the time they are five, which contain a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste and oral health information
• Free baby bottle swaps in all of our children, young people and families centres
• Supervised toothbrushing. Many of our early years settings (aged 0-5) take part in our free supervised toothbrushing programme where your children will learn how to brush their teeth properly every day.

What can I do to improve my child's oral health?

There are a number of simple steps you can take:

• take your child to see the dentist before they are one and go regularly
• brush your child's teeth as soon as the first tooth appears
• brush at least twice a day
• don't rinse after brushing just spit the toothpaste out
• use a fluoride toothpaste
• ask your dentist about fluoride varnish
• limit sugary drinks and snacks to meal times only.

You can also view and download our free oral health resources.

To find out how to access these services, contact our oral health team:

• Oral health team:
  healthyteethhappysmiles@leicester.gov.uk

• Robin Chipperfield - Oral Health Promoter
  robin.chipperfield@leicester.gov.uk

• Amy Robinson - Children's Programme Assistant
  amy.robinson@leicester.gov.uk

Accredited Healthy Teeth, Happy Smiles dental practices

The following dental practices in Leicester are accredited family-friendly dental practices and have demonstrated their commitment to improving children’s oral health in the city