Public access to good dental information top of the agenda for health charity’s new President

The new President of the British Dental Health Foundation aims to address the issue of public accessibility to quality dental information during her presidency.

Janet Goodwin made the pledge as she took up her position as President of the leading UK oral health charity.

Ms Goodwin replaces outgoing President Dr Tony Newton having been a trustee of the charity for four years and has contributed immeasurably to its success through, amongst other things, her support of their two major campaigns - National Smile Month and Mouth Cancer Action Month.

Having worked in dentistry for more than 40 years Janet brings a wealth of experience to the position of President which will be invaluable as they continue to try and improve the nation's oral health.

Speaking at her inauguration Ms Goodwin said: "Firstly, I'd like to acknowledge the work done by Tony Newton in leading the board over the last two years.

"Three in ten adults suffer from tooth decay in the UK and although oral health has improved recently that is still far too many. A lot if this can be put down to a perceived lack of accessible information around oral health which leads to misconceptions about what people can expect from their dentist.

"By improving accessibility to quality oral health information we hope to alter this; making visiting the dentist something people don't worry about and feel safe and comfortable doing by increasing their own knowledge.

"The British Dental Health Foundation is highly regarded as one of the leading voices on oral health in the UK and during my presidency I hope to build upon this and use our position to help influence how the public view their oral health.

"We are facing some major issues in the UK, such as a shortage of NHS dentistry in certain areas of the country and the devastating effect that sugar is having on the public's teeth. In my new role I hope to draw attention to these areas so that we can make a real difference.

"I am extremely honoured to be elected president of the foundation and confident that in during my tenure we will continue to enhance the publics experience, information and knowledge of important dental issues.

Outgoing President Dr Tony Newton said: "I have really enjoyed my tenure as President and Board Chair of the British Dental Health Foundation, in what has been an incredibly busy period.

"One of the key goals during my presidency has been achieved through the translation of our website into nine additional languages. This has helped to harness the ubiquity of the dental health message in a multi-cultural, global society to help influence oral health globally.

"I will continue to support the charity to my fullest in my continuing work as a trustee.

"I am handing over the Presidency to the capable hands of Janet who will oversee an exciting era in which the foundation looks to review and increase their global identity."