Oral health drive goes on the road

Next month's Colgate Oral Health Month sees a roadshow visiting major retailers at venues throughout the UK.

And dental hygienists and therapists will be at the mobile toothbrushing units, providing demonstrations of brushing techniques and giving oral care advice.

The UK campaign aims to promote improved oral health and inform the public of its importance.
Colgate (with help from the BDA) is hoping to highlight the benefits of good oral health and encourage communication between dental professionals and patients.

The theme for the 2010 campaign is ‘Discover 3 Essentials for an Even Healthier Mouth', which are:
• Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and replace your toothbrush regularly
• Avoid sugary snacks between meals
• Visit the dentist regularly.

Colgate Oral Health Month provides the entire dental team with an opportunity to get involved in a nationwide campaign.
 
Practice packs
More than 90% of UK dental practices are registered to take part in Colgate Oral Health Month. They will each receive a practice pack that contains educational materials, patient samples and motivational stickers to help the dental team drive awareness of improved oral health by creating their own oral health month practice displays.

New for 2010, and in response to requests from practices who want to promote their oral health month activities, the practice pack now contains a ‘Colgate Oral Health Month Practice PR Kit'.

This PR kit includes a template press release to let your local newspaper know what your practice is doing during Colgate Oral Health Month to support local oral health, by raising awareness and inviting new patients to attend.
 
2010 CPD Programme
The 2010 Colgate Oral Health Month CPD programme focuses on ‘Putting Evidence into Practice' using Delivering Better Oral Health – An evidence-based toolkit for prevention [1], published by the Department of Health.

Previous Colgate Oral Health Month CPD programmes using the toolkit have been very much focused on prevention advice for children and young adults.

The theme for the 2010 CPD programme is much more on prevention advice and interventions for older patients, including improving periodontal health and preventing root caries.

The Colgate Oral Health Month CPD Programme is available to all dental professionals and provides 4 hours verifiable CPD.

To participate, visit www.colgateohm.co.uk from 1 September 2010 and download this interactive programme.

• 1. Delivering Better Oral Health – An evidence based toolkit for prevention, Department of Health, July 2009