CHILDREN across Gwent are taking to brushing their teeth in school as part of a Wales-wide project to improve youngsters' dental health.

The Designed To Smile programme targets three-seven year-olds to try to reduce rates of decay that in some parts of Wales are 10 times worse than the best in England.

It involves community dental health teams going into nurseries and primary schools to set up supervised tooth-brushing sessions, supplying toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste, and offering dental health advice.

Toy animals with wide smiles and bright teeth, and big toothbrushes, are used to get over to the children the importance of brushing their teeth every day.

"In a school environment the children learn from, and copy, one another," said Jane Baker, oral health co-ordinator with Gwent's community dental health team.

"Our teams go into nurseries and schools to work with the children and teachers.

Some children do not have a toothbrush at home, and can be nervous about it, but we encourage them to use the toothbrushes on the toys first and they soon join their classmates in brushing their own teeth.

"It's about learning how important brushing your teeth is, and what is the best way to do it."

The Designed To Smile project will be introduced into 84 schools across Newport, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Monmouthshire. It was launched at Duffryn infant school, Newport.

Wales-wide, £3.1 million is being spent on the programme this year.