Press release

Valentine's Smiles gets to the heart of oral health

Published on 12 February 2020

Dundonians are being urged to show their teeth some love this Valentine’s Day for a special event hosted by the University of Dundee.

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Dundonians are being urged to show their teeth some love this Valentine’s Day for a special event hosted by the University of Dundee.

Staff and students from the University’s School of Dentistry will help people to brush up on their oral health by offering a free advice session at the city’s Meadowside St Paul’s Church.

Valentine’s Smiles takes place from midday to 2.30pm on Friday 14 February and is aimed primarily at people who do not regularly visit a dentist.

“Our teeth are like any other part of our body in that they require care to remain at their healthiest,” said Peter Mossey, Professor in Clinical Dentistry.

“Many people only seek help from a dentist when they are experiencing a problem, and that means they associate a visit to the dentist with pain. But the majority of these problems are avoidable, often through some really basic steps such as brushing regularly and correctly.

“We want to emphasise that preventative action is always better than having to resort to treatment, and that by showing a little love to your teeth you won’t be ashamed to show off your smile on Valentine’s Day.”

As well as receiving oral health tips, visitors will be also able to enjoy free bowls of homemade soup. Toothbrushes and toothpaste will also be distributed for free, having been generously donated by members of the parishes of St Paul’s and St Andrews.

“Events like this are great for the public but also for our students,” added Professor Mossey.

“The training we provide is second to none, but the nature of dentistry means that interacting with the public is equally important as the skills they learn in the classroom. It is a great opportunity to show our students that the skills they learn really do make a difference to the people they will meet when they graduate.”

The Valentine’s Smiles drop-in event takes place at Meadowside St Paul’s Church, Nethergate, Dundee, from 12 noon – 2.30pm on Friday 14 February.

Enquiries

Jonathan Watson

Senior Press Officer

+44 (0)1382 381489

j.s.watson@dundee.ac.uk