Campaigns and activities One of the most influential ways we help improve oral health is by running public-facing campaigns that spread positive messages about the importance of a healthy smile. Our programmes reach millions of people every year, in dental practices, hospitals, schools and workplaces all over the world, giving advice and information about achieving wellbeing through good oral health. Here are our current initiatives. You can help us improve oral health by supporting and participating in the following programmes.... National Smile Month National Smile Month is the UK’s largest and longest-running campaign to promote good oral health. Together, with thousands of individuals and organisations, National Smile Month highlights three key messages. They 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. During National Smile Month we educate millions of people about the benefits of a healthy smile, making oral health engaging and fun. Find out more about National Smile Month Mouth Cancer Action Month Mouth Cancer Action Month aims to raise awareness of mouth cancer and make a difference by saving thousands of lives through early detection and prevention. Throughout November we aim to get more mouth cancers diagnosed at an early stage by increasing education of the risk factors and signs and symptoms while encouraging everybody to discuss them with their dental professional. In the UK, more than 7,800 people were diagnosed with mouth cancer every year. The disease has grown by a third in the last decade and remains one of very few cancers which are predicted to increase further in the coming years… that’s why Mouth Cancer Action Month is so important. Help us campaign for Mouth Cancer Action Dental Buddy Whether it’s their first tooth, or their visit to the dentist, a child’s early experiences of oral health can impact on the rest of their lives. Dental Buddy hosts a series of free educational resources for Early Years, Key Stage One and Key Stage Two, including worksheets, lesson plans, presentations. Our Brush Time tooth brushing programme also provide comprehensive advice to nursery and school staff on how they can help children to brush their teeth properly. Learn more about oral health education in the classroom Tooth Whitening Information Group The Tooth Whitening Information Group (TWIG) – is working towards a safe and effective tooth whitening solution in the best interests of the public. It is illegal for anybody other than a dental professional to provide tooth whitening. Our aim is to ensure everybody is aware of the law so that we can protect the general public from the illegal product and practise, of tooth whitening. Read about our campaign for safe tooth whitening Jabs for the Boys We are an active campaigner for a gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme, member of HPV Action and are on the expert advisory committee for Jabs for the Boys, in order to raise awareness of the virus and extend the vaccine to British males. Jabs for the Boys is a new campaign which aims to address the pressing need for greater awareness about the human papillomavirus (HPV) and its potential impact on millions of British men and boys every year. Read about Jabs for the Boys Manage Cookie Preferences