About Raisin Awareness

Tooth decay is the most common reason for hospital admissions in the 6-10 year old age group, costing the NHS over £30 million a year.

On average, 3 school days a year are missed due to dental appointments.

Over 2 million children, in 16,600 Primary Schools in England, are given Raisins and Sultanas as a snack 6 times a year, increasing their risk of tooth decay. Many Primary School snack policies allow children to bring in cariogenic snacks every day.

Jo Dawson is a Dental Nurse who is passionate about Oral Health Promotion and making a difference.

Raisin Awareness aims to:

End dried and processed fruit snacks in primary schools
Improve the Oral Health of children in primary schools
Link Dental Practices with Primary schools
Supply regular Oral Health Education literature to all pupils

#RaiseASmile Campaign launched for National Smile Month

SIGN THE PETITION – http://chng.it/PrM24pbCfG

THE #RaiseASmile CAMPAIGN AIMS TO:

END DRIED FRUIT SNACKS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS
EXPAND THE SCHOOL FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SCHEME (SFVS) TO OLDER CHILDREN
UTILISE MORE BRITISH PRODUCE

WHY?

You might not know that a quarter of 5 year olds in England have tooth decay. Tooth decay is the most common reason for hospital admissions in the 6-10 year old age group, costing the NHS over £30 million a year. On average, 3 school days a year are missed due to dental appointments.

DRIED FRUIT IS NOT A SAFE SNACK AND CAN CAUSE TOOTH DECAY – Evidence-based dental advice A quick guide to a healthy mouth in children-GOV.UK recommends that dried fruit should be kept to mealtimes to reduce the risk.

SFVS IS ONLY OFFERED TO 4-6 YEAR OLDS. Older primary school pupils would benefit nutritionally from expansion.

CURRENTLY THE SFVS IS ONLY USING 30-40% BRITISH PRODUCE. By swapping raisins and sultanas for fresh produce, and expanding to more children, it will increase requirements and more opportunity for British farmers.

LONG TERM MISSION expansion will help to protect the most vulnerable, be more tooth-friendly, support British farmers and better environmentally.

This petition is calling on ministers to make these positive changes.
Spread the word. Be part of the change.

#RaiseASmile

Alongside this petition, there is a social media video challenge to share your smile in an uplifting manner.

Make & upload a video “Raising A Smile” (from frown/neutral face to beaming) & challenge a friend to do the same
Sign this petition – http://chng.it/PrM24pbCfG

#RaiseASmile Have you posted your challenge video yet?

A healthy happy smile needs a nutritious balanced diet. All of our children deserve this.
Sign the petition now to give our kids a healthy, happy future to smile about.