Introducing AP Smilestars – our new campaign to help Stop the Rot!

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of AP Smilestars, a brand new campaign to help improve children’s dental health in Blackburn and Darwen!

We’re delivering our latest scheme in response to the news that Blackburn with Darwen has the highest rates of tooth decay for children aged five in England. Analysis of data collected from the borough councils of Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley and Pendle, demonstrates that Asian children have a “statistically significantly” higher proportion of three and five year-olds experiencing tooth decay than their white peers. We’re determined to help tackle those figures here at AP Smilecare.

What’s our new AP Smilestars scheme all about?

The core aim is to help improve children’s dental health across Blackburn and Darwen, and one of the major ways we’re doing that is by encouraging parents to take an even more active role in developing good practices and attitudes with their children.

The issue of children’s dental health has been a key item on the agenda for Blackburn and Darwen council for a long time now, and as part of its Oral Health Improvement strategy, it’s launched a supervised toothbrushing programme for every child aged three to five in a nursery or reception class across the borough.

That’s where we come in! We’ve been commissioned by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council to deliver this toothbrushing training, which is branded under our AP Smilestars scheme. We first started in September, and we’ve been into 15 schools and nurseries so far!

We’re also now taking on new young NHS patients at our practice – up to the age of 11 – so that we can provide even more tailored care and advice for local families.

Jo Prasad, our Principal Dentist here at AP Smilecare, said: “Children will be supported to brush their teeth during the school day – in addition to their usual home toothbrushing routine.

They’ll be provided with a toothbrush, access to fluoridated toothpaste and a toothbrush storage rack. They will use a dry-toothbrushing technique and follow infection-control guidelines issued by Public Health England.”

She continued: “We are encouraging parents across the borough to support their child by observing a ‘golden hour’ before bedtime when their child doesn’t consume sweet treats or sweet drinks.

“We want parents to support their child with toothbrushing in the morning and at bedtime.”

If you’ve got any questions about our AP Smilestars scheme, or you’re keen to get involved, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here at AP Smilecare! We provide a number of ways to contact us – you can get in touch through our social media accounts, email us at enquiries@apsmilecare.co.uk, or simply give us a call on 01254 297 000. We’re here to help!