National Smile Month, 11 May to 11 June 2026, is dedicated to promoting good oral health and encouraging positive dental habits, including effective tooth brushing, reducing sugar intake, and attending regular dental check-ups.
To mark the month long campaign, NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Oral Health Improvement and Childsmile Team worked closely with some local primary schools to deliver a series of engaging and educational workshops to bring these important messages to life.
A total of 21 primary schools participated in the programme, with workshops specifically designed for Primary 3 and 4 pupils. The sessions were packed with fun, interactive learning opportunities, combining practical activities, puzzles, and a memorable hands-on experiment that demonstrated the effects of different drinks on teeth – using boiled eggs as a visual aid.
Pupils were encouraged to predict what would happen during the experiment through drawings and written ideas. The next day, guided by their teachers, they looked at the results again to see what had changed.
Rosie Murphy, Assistant Primary Care Manager from NHS Ayrshire & Arran said:
“We would like to thank all the children, and their schools, for joining in with our National Smile Month activities.
“The activities provided a fantastic opportunity to engage with young people in a fun and enjoyable way to help pupils understand the importance of looking after their teeth and gums and support the development of lifelong healthy habits.
“We would like to thank all participating schools, teachers, and pupils for their enthusiasm and support in making the campaign such a success.”