Big smiles as kid’s dental initiative marks 20 years

TWENTY years of a pioneering programme aimed at maintaining children’s dental health are being celebrated in Dumfries and Galloway.

Since its introduction in 2006, the Childsmile initiative has played a central role in improving dental health outcomes for children across Scotland, shifting the focus from treatment to prevention.

In Dumfries and Galloway, the programme has been delivered through close partnership working between NHS dental services, health visiting teams, schools and early years settings, embedding preventive care from the earliest stages of life.

Director of dentistry Alison Milne said: “Childsmile has made a real and lasting difference to the oral health of children in our communities.

“National Dental Inspection data for Dumfries and Galloway shows that the number of Primary 1 children with no obvious signs of tooth decay has significantly improved in the last decade.”

The Childsmile programme includes supervised toothbrushing in nurseries, fluoride varnish applications and encouraging regular dental visits - with targeted support for families who need it most.

Alison added: “One of the key strengths of Childsmile is its proportionate universal approach. Every child benefits from early prevention, but we are also able to provide additional support where it is most needed, helping to reduce long-standing inequalities.

“By shifting the focus from treatment to prevention, Childsmile has not only improved children’s health but also reduced the need for more complex dental care. That is better for children and helps ensure NHS services are used where they are most needed.”

As the programme marks its 20th anniversary, health leaders say it remains a key part of efforts to give children the best possible start in life.