CHILDREN at a Holtspur school showed off their healthy smiles last week after being the first to receive an award for promoting oral hygiene.
Holtspur School on Cherry Tree Road is the first school to be awarded the Bucks-wide Smile Award Plus+ for their work to improve students’ teeth through healthy eating.
The scheme, run by the Oral Health Promotion Department for the NHS, recognises schools that go above and beyond to educate pupils about making the right eating choices to tackle the high tooth decay rates among children.
Organiser Karen Fallon said: “Our last survey showed that 26% of children starting school have experienced tooth decay, and that is far too high.
“Often schools are the worst culprits by allowing children to bring in unhealthy snacks and by selling them in machines and tuck shops.
“By taking part in the scheme, Holtspur School are giving their pupils a fantastic start by providing help and support in making healthy choices, and we hope more schools will follow suit as a result.”
The school has adopted a healthy food policy to encourage and establish good eating habits and this is promoted throughout their curriculum.
Pupils receive education as to the dangers of unhealthy sweet snacks and drinks between meals and the damage they can cause to teeth and gums.
The scheme is already established in the early years sector with many nurseries, childminders, nannies and children’s centres already being accredited.
It is now hoped the project can be rolled out into schools across Bucks to spread the message of the importance of oral hygiene and establish good habits from an early age.
