Smile Month is celebrating 50 years of championing better oral health across the UK, with the Oral Health Foundation marking the milestone by launching a major new report looking at the future of oral health and prevention.
Originally launched as Smile ’77 in 1977, the campaign has grown into the UK’s largest oral health campaign, helping generations of people better understand the importance of healthier habits, prevention and regular dental care.
On Monday 18 May 2026, the Oral Health Foundation brought together leaders from dentistry, healthcare, public health and industry at a special live event in London to reflect on the campaign’s impact over the last five decades and explore the future of oral health in the UK.
As part of the event, the charity launched its landmark new report, Oral Health: From Treatment to Prevention – 50 years of Smile Month and the future of oral health in the UK.
The report charts how oral health has evolved over the last half-century, from a system largely focused on treatment and pain relief towards one increasingly shaped by prevention, public health and wider wellbeing.
It highlights major improvements in oral health over the last 50 years, including the impact of fluoride toothpaste, public education campaigns, school toothbrushing programmes and sugar reduction policies.
However, the report also warns that major challenges remain, including growing oral health inequalities, NHS dentistry pressures and difficulties accessing care.
Launching the report, Dr Rachael England, Head of Policy and Advocacy at the Oral Health Foundation, said: “Smile Month has played an important role in helping people better understand oral health and take positive steps to protect their smiles.
“Over the last 50 years, we have seen huge improvements in oral health, but there is still much more to do.
“Too many people continue to experience preventable oral disease, and too many communities still struggle to access the support and care they need.
“The future of oral health must be built around prevention, healthier habits and earlier support.”
The report says the next decade is likely to bring major changes in oral health, including greater use of technology and AI, better use of the wider dental team, more targeted prevention programmes and stronger action to reduce sugar and improve public health.
Alongside the report, the Oral Health Foundation also launched the new Smile Month Prevention Pledge, calling on people, organisations and policymakers to support action aimed at improving oral health for future generations.
“The Smile Month Prevention Pledge is about turning awareness into action,” added Dr England.
“We know prevention works. The challenge now is making sure everybody has the opportunity, support and access needed to enjoy good oral health throughout life.”
The first panel discussion, United Kingdom Oral Health – Where are we, and where are we going?, was chaired by Dr Ben Atkins and featured Prof Iain Chapple, Dr Fiona Sandom, Anna Smith and Preetee Hylton. The discussion explored the current state of oral health across the UK, including NHS dentistry pressures, oral health inequalities, prevention-focused reform, workforce challenges and improving access to care.
The second session, From National to Global – The Future of Oral Health, was chaired by Prof Iain Chapple and featured Prof Georgios Tsakos, Dr Elizabeth Shick and Prof Manu Mathur. Panellists discussed the future of oral health policy and prevention, global health trends, the growing role of technology and AI, and how stronger public health action can help improve oral health outcomes worldwide.
Professor Tim Newton, President of the Oral Health Foundation, also addressed delegates during the event, reflecting on the lasting impact of Smile Month over the last five decades and its role in shaping public attitudes towards oral health.
Professor Newton described Smile Month as “a national institution” and a cornerstone of preventive oral health campaigning in the UK, highlighting how the campaign has helped generations of people better understand the importance of healthier habits, prevention and regular dental care.
Smile Month is the UK’s largest oral health campaign, bringing together dental professionals, schools, workplaces, charities and communities to promote healthier habits and raise awareness of the importance of good oral health. Every year, thousands of activities take place across the country to encourage people of all ages to improve their oral health through better brushing, healthier diets and regular dental visits.
Smile Month takes place between 11 May and 11 June and is supported by some of the UK’s best-known oral care brands and organisations, including Haleon, Listerine, Oral-B, Ordo, Vvardis and mydentist.
The full report and the Smile Month Prevention Pledge are available on the Oral Health Foundation website.
