- 05/02/2013
- Posted by: Mike Hedges MS
- Categories: Latest News, Press Releases
Swansea East AM Mike Hedges has today called on the Welsh Government to encourage all primary schools and nurseries to take up a health improvement scheme, designed to improve the oral health of young children in Wales.
Earlier today, the Swansea AM asked the First Minister for Wales to make a statement in Plenary on the Welsh Government’s innovative “Designed to Smile” programme, and called on the Welsh Government to encourage all Welsh based primaryschools and nurseries to partake in the scheme.
The “Designed to Smile” scheme, which is delivered by the Community Dental Service in conjunction with local health boards (LHBs), encourages children to brush their teeth daily with a fluoride toothpaste to reduce the levels of tooth decay, and also offers a number of free services and dental treatments for children in a school and nursery setting. The programme also promotes the importance of good oral hygiene and works towards reducing the gap between the oral health of children from the most deprived and the least deprived communities in Wales.
Speaking from the Senedd, local AM Mike Hedges AM said:
“Since its launch in early 2009, the Welsh Government’s Designed to Smile scheme has been an overwhelming success throughout Wales in teaching our children the value and importance of good oral hygiene.
“It’s essential that children are taught about looking after their teeth from an early age, so that they will develop good habits that will continue with them into adulthood.
“Although the vast majority of primary schools and nurseries already partake in the scheme, I now believe it’s time for all schools and nurseries to join in so that all young pupils in Wales can benefit from good oral health.”
In November 2012, Trallwn Primary School in Swansea gained the achievement of becoming the second primary school in Wales to achieve the gold standard badge under the “Designed to Smile” scheme. This involved pupils brushing their teeth twice a day.
Commenting on Trallwn’s gold standard badge, Mike Hedges said:
“I’d like to congratulate all pupils at Trallwn Primary School for not just participating, but also for becoming the second school in Wales to achieve the Gold Standard badge under the scheme! This is an outstanding achievement that all pupils at Trallwn should be proud of.”
