Beacon Reach has successfully achieved the Smiling for life award with NHS East Lancashire & NHS Blackburn with Darwen dental service. Please see below a letter for all Parents and Carers about the service we provide

Dear Parent/Guardian

By the time children living in this area reach the age of five, they have on average 4 out of their 20 baby teeth affected by tooth decay. Unfortunately this is one of the highest levels of tooth decay in the country. Beacon Reach in collaboration with Blackburn and East Lancashire Dental Service is working to improve the oral health of children across East Lancashire.

Tooth decay is caused by the frequent consumption of food and drinks containing sugar. Keeping sugary food and drinks to mealtimes only, is an effective way to reduce decay and help children in our care avoid the pain and distress this can cause.

The children will now be taking part in Smiling for Life, a national programme on nutrition and oral health that aims to raise awareness of oral health issues and support Beacon Reach staff in promoting good nutrition and oral health practices. To do this we will be serving healthy sugar free snacks and drinks and offering children activities to help them learn about:

 Healthy eating

 How to look after their teeth

 What you can do at home:

 Keep sugary food and drinks to meal times only.  Choose sugar-free snacks and water or milk between meals.

  Help your child brush their teeth twice a day including last thing at  night before bed with a smear (under 3yrs) or pea  sized    (over 3yrs) amount of family fluoride toothpaste.   

·Take your child for regular visits to the dentist – as often as they Recommend

Blackburn & East Lancashire Dental Service