Smiles 4 Miles is an initiative of Oral Health Services (formerly the Department of Dental Health Services Victoria) which aims to improve the oral health of children and their families across Victoria.

As tooth decay is Australia’s most common preventative health problem, we want to work with early childhood services to encourage and promote good oral health habits and healthy eating among children in their care.

The program focuses on 3 key areas:

Drink well – tap water is the preferred drink, limit sugary drinks (especially between meals), and choose plain milk over flavoured.

Eat well – enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods every day from the five food groups, limit foods containing added sugar, and healthy meals and snacks are important for healthy teeth.

Clean well – brush teeth and along the gum line twice a day, children should use a low-flouride childrens toothpaste from 18 months until they turn 6, don’t wait for a problem. A child should see a health professional (Maternal Child Health Nurse, Dentist, Oral Health Therapist, Dental Therapist or General Practitioner) by the age of two for an oral health check..

The Smiles 4 Miles program is delivered predominantly in preschools/kindergartens and is based on the World Health Organisation’s Health Promoting Schools Framework, an internationally recognised best practice approach.

For more information, visit the Smiles 4 Miles website or contact the Population Health Team