HEALTH promotion staff are getting their teeth into a series of events promoting National Smile Week.

Activities stressing the importance of oral hygiene and healthy teeth are taking place across County Durham.

The team, from County Durham Community Dental Service's oral health promotion section, is organising fun activities and promotional displays to get their message across.

This year's campaign is focusing on the four ages of dental health, which are baby and child, teenager, adult and elderly.

Using the slogan Teeth are for Life, the campaign shows caring for teeth from an early age will keep them healthy for life.

Among areas to be visited by the oral health promotion team are Age Concern centres, SureStart programmes, and supermarkets.

Nursery school children have been invited to a community dental clinic for fun activities.

Children, their parents and carers are urged to clean their teeth and gums twice a day, cut down on sugary foods and drinks and visit their dentist at least once a year.

Throughout National Smile Week displays will be in place at community dental service clinics to raise awareness and staff will giving away colouring pictures, balloons and stickers to patients.

The roadshow began yesterday at the Asda store, in Peterlee, and will be at Chester-le-Street Community Hospital, between 9.30am and 11am today.

Ferryhill SureStart, Age Concern Derwentside and Durham Dales will also be carrying iformation on the campaign.

More details from Julie King, on 0191-387 6504.