Pharmacists and oral health staff are teaming up to encourage the use of sugar-free medicines in a bid to improve dental health in the district.

A campaign is taking place throughout January aimed at increasing the number of sugar-free prescriptions and over the counter medicines available to patients and to raise awareness of the impact that medicines containing sugar have on teeth.

The district has one of the worst oral health records in the country with more than half of children having experienced dental disease. Sugars in medicines can cause tooth decay but many medicines, including those sold without prescription, have sugar-free alternatives. The use of these is particularly important if the treatment is being given long-term.

Lynn Owen, senior oral health promotion officer at Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust, said: “We want to promote routine prescribing of sugar-free medicines with clinicians.

“We also aim to encourage pharmacy staff to stock and recommend sugar-free alternatives to the most commonly-used prescriptions and general sale medications.”

As part of the campaign pharmacists will be displaying posters and leaflets and advising customers to use sugar-free medicines.

Rachel Urban, community pharmacy development and clinical governance pharmacist from the health trust, said: “Pharmacy staff are in an ideal position to give advice and guidance on the use of sugar-free medicines and can help members of the public to make informed choices on both prescription and over-the-counter medication.

“You can visit your local pharmacy for help and advice on dental health or any other health-related issue.”

Key things you can do to improve your oral health include: brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, using a smear of toothpaste for those under three years of age and a pea sized amount for those over three years of age.

keep sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes only and choose sugar-free snacks and drinks between meals avoid products containing sugar at bedtime ask for sugar-free medicines, on prescription at your doctor and over the counter at your pharmacist visit the dentist regularly.