Two exceptional research proposals focusing on the needs of young patients have been awarded grants jointly by BSPD and the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons (England). One proposal is for research into jaw pain in young people and the other a feasibility study for genetic testing of children with a rare developmental condition.

The announcement in the Queen’s Speech this month that advertising of foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) is to be restricted from April of next year is welcomed by the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry. New legislation will introduce an outright ban on online promotions and a watershed of 9pm for TV advertisements; BSPD hopes the restrictions will reduce children’s exposure to advertising of products that are contributing to unacceptably high levels of childhood obesity and dental decay, especially in areas of greatest deprivation.

The oral health of children in hospital is recognised as fundamental to their well-being thanks to the Mini Mouth Care Matters programme which is benefiting thousands of children throughout the UK. At the heart of the programme is training for ward staff in hospitals who learn how to ‘lift-the-lip’ so they have the confidence to look inside the mouth of young patients and understand the signs of dental disease.

Mini Mouth Care Matters consists of training and resources for non-dental healthcare professionals. The programme empowers healthcare workers to look inside the mouths of children and young people, an intervention known as ‘lift the lip’ and to give oral care advice.

The second National Epidemiology survey of the oral health of three year olds shows virtually no change since the first survey in 2013. Members of BSPD, the UK’s society dedicated to the oral health of children, are deeply frustrated by the findings and are calling for more initiatives to drive down the levels of dental decay which are blighting young lives.