Dental plan's something to smile about

AROUND 150 dentists across the Lothians are set to join a scheme to improve the oral health of local children.

The Childsmile scheme aims to ensure every newborn child has a registered dentist and that parents have a personalised, in-depth plan for their children's teeth.

Health chiefs want to target the period of a child's life between birth and their first day of school.

Under the project, which is a partnership between NHS Lothian and the Scottish Government, a child will also have fluoride varnish applied to their teeth.

Robert Naysmith, director of NHS Lothian's salaried primary care dental service, said: "The roll-out to dental practices is the final step in the Childsmile programme.

"We already have Childsmile nurseries and Childsmile schools which are doing extremely well."