Hillingdon Council celebrates National Smile Month with events in Hayes promoting children’s oral health. Activities, workshops, and expert advice help families build healthy habits and raise awareness of diet’s impact.
Hillingdon Council is inviting local families, especially those with babies and young children, to join a variety of engaging events throughout Hayes as part of National Smile Month, which kicks off today, Monday 12 May. This annual campaign aims to promote good oral health and wellbeing, with a special focus this year on the vital role diet plays in maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
The theme for 2025’s National Smile Month is “Feed Your Smile,” emphasising how the food and drinks we consume directly affect our oral health. Hillingdon Council is using this opportunity to raise awareness about the benefits of simple daily routines such as brushing, alongside adopting a healthy diet and making smarter food and drink choices to protect children’s teeth.
A rich programme of activities and workshops has been organised across the borough’s libraries, children’s centres, and family hubs, all designed to support families in building good oral hygiene habits from an early age. The events cater mainly to young children and their parents or carers, providing valuable tips on maintaining oral health in a fun, accessible way.
“Our children’s centres and family hubs run regular dental health and wellbeing workshops and have a wealth of resources available to support you in keeping your child’s teeth healthy.”
Jane Palmer, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care
One of the highlights includes an outdoor session of games and activities at Pinkwell Park, set for Wednesday 28 May at 10am, aimed at children up to seven years old. This will be followed by an online “brushathon” on Monday 2 June at 10am, encouraging families to brush their teeth together in a fun virtual event. On Wednesday 4 June at 10.30am, Botwell Green Library will host a special storytime focused on dental health, and on Monday 16 June at 10am, Charville Children’s Centre will hold an interactive brushing event tailored for children aged five and under.
Alongside the activities, parents and carers will receive practical advice to help protect their children’s teeth, including the importance of brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes. They are encouraged to teach children to spit out toothpaste without rinsing, to allow fluoride to continue protecting their teeth. The council also recommends choosing milk or water over sugary drinks and ensuring regular visits to the dentist.
Jane Palmer, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, stressed the importance of early dental care: “It’s crucial to start looking after your child’s teeth as soon as their baby teeth start to come through. Booking a first dental visit early helps set the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.”
Palmer also highlighted the role of the borough’s children’s centres and family hubs in supporting families with dental health education. “Our centres run regular workshops focused on dental health and wellbeing, offering a wealth of resources to help families keep their children’s teeth healthy.”
For families interested in participating, further information and booking details for the events are available at https://discover.hillingdon.gov.uk/national-smile-month. Additional workshops on topics like “brush for life” and “bottle to cup” transitions are also offered at family hubs and children’s centres, with details accessible at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/cc-services. Parents can sign up for the online brushathon through their local children’s centre.
With these carefully planned events and resources, Hillingdon Council is making great strides in promoting oral health and wellbeing across Hayes, encouraging healthy habits that will benefit children throughout their lives. National Smile Month provides the perfect platform to highlight how diet and dental care go hand-in-hand, empowering families to “Feed Your Smile” and create brighter futures for the borough’s youngest residents.
