IT is smiles all round for a Deane dental surgery determined to help people in Bolton learn about good oral health.

National Smile Month, a British Dental Health Foundation initiative to promote oral health, is running until June 18.

Ravat & Ray Dental Care, based at Rumworth House, in Wigan Road, is hosting a range of events to raise awareness of the campaign.

Earlier this month the team gave away goodie bags and provided shoppers with oral health advice at Morrisons supermarket in Blackhorse Street in the town centre.

Practice manager Mandy Hardman said: “Good oral health is vital for a healthy smile as well as a healthy body, and we will be spreading that message thought the national smile month.”

Further events will be taking place in the next few weeks, with a free children’s fluoride varnish clinic on June 8 and another Morrisons event on June 1.

The Bolton News reported last week how one in three children in Bolton are not visiting a dentist every 12 months as recommended by health officials, new figures have revealed.

The number of children seem by an NHS dentist in Bolton in the 12 months up to March 31 was 46,360 – 71 per cent of the borough’s child population.

The figures, released by the Health & Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) also suggest just 54 per cent (114,762) of Bolton’s adult population visited the dentist in the last year.

The longest time between appointments for children, as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), is a year but is at dentists’ discretion.

Martin Weavers, managing director for Ravat & Ray, said: “We hope by making events as fun and imaginative as possible it will inspire more people than ever before to join in the fun.

“The British Dental Health Foundation’s three key messages for good oral health are to brush for two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, cut down on sugary foods and drinks and visit a dentist regularly.”

For more information about the events: call 01204 850285, go to facebook.com/RavatandRayDentalCare or follow @RavatandRay on Twitter.