Parents who want to prevent their child needing emergency dentistry could be interested to hear pupils at a school in Peterlee were rewarded for their oral health recently.
Children from Acre Rigg infant school received the Healthy Teeth Award to praise them for making efforts to improve the conditions of their teeth and gums.
The reward scheme was established by the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation in a bid to increase the standards of oral health in the region.
Officials launched the campaign after statistics revealed that over 50 per cent of children in East Durham suffer from tooth decay.
Meanwhile, schools and communities are being urged to get involved in this year's National Smile Month, launched by the British Dental Health Foundation.
The organisation has advised families to attend events being held in their local areas, as well as contact local newspapers to spread the word about the campaign.