Share the Smile – the XII edition has begun!

In concern for the healthy smiles of students, the next edition of "Share a Smile" is launching.

September is not only a time for returning from vacations, meeting long-lost friends and teachers. With the beginning of the new school year, the 12th edition of the educational program "Share a Smile" is traditionally starting. As part of the unique activities, even 150,000 students from all over Poland have the chance to learn how to properly take care of their teeth and prevent cavities. The program is consistently organized by Mars Polska and the Polish Red Cross, with substantive support from the Polish Dental Society and the Polish Society of Pediatric Dentistry. The ambassador of the initiative for many years has been actress and social activist Magdalena Różczka.

The nationwide program "Share a Smile" was initiated in 2013 as a response to the persistently high rate of cavities among children in our country. Unfortunately, the problem still persists, and this disease brings numerous negative consequences and can increase the risk of other ailments.

According to estimates from the Ministry of Health, nearly 82% of six-year-olds struggle with dental caries, and according to the WHO Global Oral Health report, as many as 46% of cavity cases in children under 9 years old remain untreated.

–The educational program implemented for years responds to the ongoing problem of cavities among children in Poland. The prevalence of cavities increases from 41.1% in 3-year-olds to as much as 93.2% at age 18. Cavities in permanent teeth appear shortly after the first molars, known as six-year molars, erupt, which are most often affected by this disease in children and adolescents. However, effective prevention can be implemented thanks to proper care – emphasizes Prof. Dorota Olczak-Kowalczyk, President of the Polish Society of Pediatric Dentistry.

The goal of "Share a Smile" is to teach both children and parents, as well as caregivers, simple ways to effectively take care of dental health. This year, students from 1st to 3rd grade of primary schools from all over the country, as well as for the second time, students of preschool zero classes will join the program. Classes conducted based on age-appropriate, engaging materials that fit into the curriculum will last until spring.

– Seeing alarming statistics regarding children's dental health, we are pleased to support teachers in conducting engaging classes and provide them with attractive materials that will ensure the knowledge gained from the lessons will stay in memory for a long time. I am also glad that together with our partners we decided to expand the reach of the campaign and include zero-class students as well. It is important to build proper hygiene habits as early as possible – highlights Małgorzata Szukała, Head of Department of Promotion and Revenue Generation, Polish Red Cross.

The importance of prevention is also emphasized by Professor Marzena Dominiak, President of the Polish Dental Society and Vice-Rector for Development Strategy at the University of Medicine in Wrocław: The program promotes all aspects of oral hygiene – both those that are more obvious, like regular tooth brushing, and those that not everyone knows about, such as briefly chewing sugar-free gum after meals when there is no possibility of brushing.

Discover 4 steps for healthy and clean teeth:

Schools and kindergartens (only zero classes) interested in participating in the program are invited to contact the PCK branches throughout Poland (addresses and contact details can be found on our website, in the CONTACT section).