Annual review

Welcome to the Oral Health Foundation’s latest Annual Review. This year, we’ve made significant strides in our mission to promote good oral health and fight oral diseases.

Campaign successes

Our campaigns have reached new heights this year. National Smile Month championed the benefits of good oral health, reaching around 6 million people with oral health advice. Mouth Cancer Action Month was supported by more than 4,000 organisations, helping us raise awareness of a disease that is sadly on the rise. Our Safe Smiles campaign received national media coverage, encouraging people to steer away from unqualified advice and DIY dental treatments.

Educational progress

We’ve developed new educational materials and programmes that are being used by schools, care homes, community organisations, and dental professionals across the country. Our children’s educational programme, Dental Buddy, was used in thousands of nurseries and schools.

Global reach

In addition to our work in the United Kingdom, we continued our reach internationally. This year, we gathered a global taskforce to investigate the barriers to dental access in developing nations. Our findings showed that teledentistry could prove an effective method for dental referrals, early detection of disease and treatment, especially where access to dental professionals is limited.

Advocacy and strategy

Expanding dental access is a global priority. In the UK, NHS dentistry is experiencing significant problems. A strong NHS dental service is vital for the oral health of the population, and we are committed to working with partners and policymakers to make the changes that are so badly needed. Advocating for effective policy measures is a key goal for the Oral Health Foundation and will be a major part of our charity’s new strategy.

Looking ahead

Over the last year, our board of trustees, along with the core team, have been developing a strategy that will shape the charity’s future priorities. Our Strategy to 2030 will be published at the end of this year. We have substantial challenges to overcome as we continue our focus on better oral health for all, working on reducing dental disease and narrowing oral health inequalities.

Thank You

Everything we do is only possible through the hard work and dedication of our staff, our partners, and our supporters. With this in mind, I would like to send my thanks for your support and continued commitment to achieving better oral health for all. Our work is far from over, but together, we can make a difference.

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Latest

Dinnington Dental Practice: National Smile Month Fundraiser

Help us raise money for the Oral Health Foundation this National Smile Month!
Market Street Dental Practice: National Smile Month Fundraiser

We are fundraising as a practice to donate to the Oral Health Foundation!
New NHS Dental Charges

11 March 2024 - It has been announced that as of 1st April 2024, there will be a price increase in England and Wales for NHS dental treatment.
No Smoking Day: A breath of fresh air for oral health

13 MAR 2024 - No Smoking Day is an annual health awareness day in the UK that encourages smokers to quit.

Better oral health for all

We are the Oral Health Foundation - a charity dedicated to improving oral health and wellbeing by providing impartial advice on all aspects of oral health directly to those who need it most.
Our strategy to 2024

We believe everybody deserves to have good oral health. Here's our new strategy that can help make this a reality.
Tackling inequalities in oral health

We work to reduce inequalities in oral health by providing information and support for children, the elderly and vulnerable, those with disabilities and people living in deprivation around the world.
Driving change

One of the ways our charity really makes a difference is by affecting the decision-making of certain policies and laws so that, as a population, we can achieve a higher level of care and health.
Our impact

We are proud to be a charity whose values remain the same today as when we first formed. Our principles and experiences help to guide us about the work we do and people we help.
Board of trustees

Learn more about our trustees and how they help form the strategic direction of our charity. We also have information about joining us as a trustee.
Our team

Look who makes up the Oral Health Foundation's close, friendly and talented team. Our group delivers programmes and campaigns that help people achieve great oral health.

What to do following an extraction

General advice about what to do after having teeth taken out. Includes what precautions you should take and things to avoid.
Mouth ulcers

Usually red or yellow in colour, mouth ulcers are painful sores that can appear inside the mouth and also on the outer lips.
Burning mouth syndrome

Burning Mouth Syndrome can be an extremely uncomfortable condition which can have several potential causes.
Geographic tongue

Geographic tongue is a common condition which can appear on the top and sides of the tongue, and sometimes on the under-surface.
How to spot mouth cancer

How much do you know about the signs and symptoms of mouth cancer? By being Mouthaware you can make a difference in the fight against mouth cancer.
Bridges and partial dentures

These replacement options for missing teeth are often recommended for oral health purposes as well as cosmetic appearance.
What foods and drinks contain acid and why it spells trouble for our oral health

10 JUNE 19 - As part of National Smile Month, the Oral Health Foundation and GSK have come together to discuss the threat acidic foods and drinks pose to our oral health.
Wisdom teeth

The wisdom teeth are the last to appear, right at the back of the mouth, often between 17 and 25 but sometime many years later.
Jaw problems and headaches

If you jaw and teeth are not lined up correctly it will not only affect your bite but could result in severe headaches and jaw pain.
Sugar free chewing gum

Chewing sugar-free gum helps protect your teeth and gums in between meals when it may not be possible to brush with a toothbrush.