A PROGRAMME designed to give children the perfect smile is being implemented in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS area.

The national Childsmile programme offers young children up to the age of six years old a special fluoride varnish on their teeth to help prevent decay.

Along with regular brushing, research shows that fluoride varnish is highly effective at reducing tooth decay.

Every child should have a sparkling smile and the programme, which is already being successfully implemented across Greater Glasgow and Clyde, is now being extended thanks to additional funding through ‘The Fairer Scotland Action Plan.’

This extra funding will allow the organisation to reach an additional 60 schools and nurseries within the most deprived areas across Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

It will also enable them to recruit two new Fluoride Varnish Teams so even more children will benefit through the programme.

Frances McLinden, general manager for Oral Health said: “Tooth decay is a widespread condition and a particular problem in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.

“We have seen significant improvements over the last 10 years due to a number of interventions however inequalities still exist. This additional funding will help us to address and reduce these inequalities within the most deprived areas.”