At an event in London, Dr. Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, launched National Smile Month 2025 with a reminder: “You can’t have good general health without oral health.” Speaking on May 9, 2025, to over 100 health professionals and industry leaders at Surveyors House, Dr. Carter set the tone for a month-long campaign under the theme Feed Your Smile.
The UK’s largest oral health awareness campaign runs from May 12 to June 12, 2025. Now in its 49th year, National Smile Month aims to unite dental professionals and community partners in promoting better oral health. This year's theme focuses on the connection between diet and oral health.
“National Smile Month is about much more than just raising awareness,” said Dr. Carter. “It’s about bringing people together – working across the profession and with our trade sponsors to actively promote oral health.”
Reflecting on the campaign's history since its start in Birmingham in 1977, Dr. Carter noted past expectations that people would lose most of their teeth by their middle age but highlighted progress made through public education and innovations like fluoride toothpaste. He pointed out current challenges related to diet-driven damage to oral health.
Dr. Carter also discussed global efforts such as education initiatives in Vietnam and support for WHO's oral health strategy across Europe: “We must take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime chance to make a lasting impact.”
He expressed concern over infant nutrition: “There’s an urgent need to address unhealthy baby food that encourages sugary preferences early on.”
The event featured contributions from speakers leading oral health efforts both nationally and internationally.
Joanne Downs from Kent Community NHS Foundation Trust shared how her team implements Feed Your Smile across districts by appointing 401 oral health champions working in schools and care homes.
“We’re deeply committed to improving children’s dental health in Kent,” Joanne said. She emphasized significant positive impacts through initiatives like pilot toothbrushing programs.
Kent libraries play a vital role by engaging communities through activities such as coloring sheets and Clean Teeth Club certificates.
Rhiannon Jones from BSDHT spoke about patients not engaging with treatment: “Before moving a patient to palliative care... have we exhausted all options?” She urged clinicians to consider adjuncts like mouthwashes as part of comprehensive care routines.
National Smile Month receives support from well-known brands including Oral-B, Listerine, Sensodyne Pronamel, and Wrigley Oral Care Programme.
Representing Haleon, Dr. Kate Fabrikant highlighted broader challenges faced today: “Improving oral health isn’t as simple as introducing fluoride toothpaste.” She emphasized understanding deeper consumer habits affecting their oral well-being.
Dr. Fabrikant detailed research revealing barriers between professional messages versus consumer understanding: "Collaboration across sectors becomes critical."
She stressed making tools accessible so people can make informed choices protecting smiles for life.
As the event concluded, Dr. Carter encouraged participation: “Let’s make this our most impactful yet – building momentum towards next year’s golden anniversary.”
For more information about supporting National Smile Month visit www.smilemonth.org or follow on social media using #SmileMonth or #FeedYourSmile hashtags.
