Practice promotes good oral health as part of national awareness month

A Northern Irish dental practice is asking its patients whether they have the ’Smile Factor’ in order to spread the message of good oral health.

Dunmurry Dental Practice will be holding an open day for National Smile Month next week, inviting the public and existing patients to have a look around the practice, participate in kids activities and enter a prize draw.

Organised by the British Dental Health Foundation, National Smile Month aims to spread three key messages to the public on their oral health: brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cut down on sugary foods and drinks, and visit the dentist as often as they recommend.

Dunmurry practice owner Dr Philip McLorinan said: “We are delighted to get involved in National Smile Month and to give a little bit back to our patients and the community.

“A good oral healthcare routine can help guard against all sorts of oral and general health conditions from bad breath and decay to gum disease, which has been linked to a number of more serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and strokes.

“By promoting good oral healthcare in a fun, imaginative and non-threatening way we hope to persuade more people of the importance of taking care of their teeth.”

Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter, paid tribute to Dunmurry Dental Practice for getting involved: “We are delighted that the practice has joined the many dental practices, schools, health professionals and community groups promoting good oral healthcare under the umbrella of our National Smile Month campaign.”

For more information on National Smile Month, visit http://www.smilemonth.org