Open Wide More Often Ilfracombe!

People in Ilfracombe go for regular dental check-ups less often than almost anywhere else in Devon.

And now they're being given help to improve.

The Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust is one of 12 organisations throughout the country which has secured funding from oral health charity the British Dental Health Foundation and the Wrigley Tooth Fairy Fund. 

The project will raise awareness of the importance of oral health and also encourage local people to attend the town’s NHS dental practice more frequently. At the moment only 2 in 5 people bother with regular dental appointments.

It'll train wider health professionals and teachers to help sustain long term oral health promotion in the town and there'll be a fluoride varnish programme for six year old children.

Colin Flanagan, Lead in Oral Health Promotion for Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, tells us more: CLICK HERE

Dr Nigel Carter, the British Dental Health Foundation’s Chief Executive, said: “Funding for oral health promotion and education is becoming increasingly scarce as public spending continues to be cut-back. It is an area of major concern to the British Dental Health Foundation.  As well as lobbying Government to keep oral health a priority, we will continue to work hard to secure new funding to help more projects like this in the future.”