National Smile Month To Bring Out The 'Smile Factor', UK

The UK's leading independent oral health charity, the British Dental Health Foundation, is delighted to announce the theme for this year's National Smile Month, the 'Smile Factor', running from 15 May - 15 June.

The aim of the campaign is to put the smile back on peoples' faces and help them display their full personalities through the 'Smile Factor' theme. Now into its 35th year, National Smile Month remains an integral part of the Foundation's work in promoting greater oral health. As in previous years, the Foundation will also be raising the awareness of a healthy diet and the link between good oral health and good overall body health and promoting the three key messages of brush for two minutes twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste, visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend and cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks.

Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter, described the thinking behind this year's campaign.

Dr Carter said: "A smile can be a very powerful show of emotion, yet not everyone has the confidence to do so. They say you can hide behind a smile if you are not happy or are self-conscious about your teeth, so many people are missing out on showing their very own 'Smile Factor'. Others are being held back by poor oral well-being and its impact on their general health. This year's campaign is designed to challenge those perceptions and get you smiling again."

Every year the Foundation encourages local communities, practices and individuals up and down the country to take part and get involved in National Smile Month, and as ever, there will be a wide range of different ways in which people can do just that. There will be many family and community events throughout the campaign - all of which need your support.