Calling all dental nurses!
This Smile Month, we are inviting you to help raise awareness around an issue that affects thousands of families but often goes unnoticed: the high sugar content in baby food pouches. [See article here]
Marketed as healthy, organic and nutritionist approved, many of these products contain more sugar per 100g than Coca-Cola, yet they are being promoted for babies as young as four months old.
As dental professionals, we are in a trusted position to help shift the conversation. Most of us know someone with a baby or toddler who would benefit from hearing this message. Whether you share it inside your practice or on your social media, your voice makes a difference.
How to take part
1. Create content
Choose a message that highlights the issue. For example:
Baby food pouches: Organic on the outside, sugar on the inside
You could create:
- A poster to display in your waiting area or staff room
- A social media post or short video for Instagram or Facebook
- An image showing sugar comparisons, such as baby pouches versus fizzy drinks
- A myth-busting quote or fact from the BDA report
Use free online tools like Canva to design content for print or social media. It is beginner friendly and offers plenty of dental graphics. You may even want to include your practice logo and use this as an opportunity for positive PR.
Want to learn how to create oral health content?
We’re currently developing a free mini-course to help dental nurses and oral health educators design clear, impactful oral health content using Canva and other simple AI tools.
The course will include how to:
- Create effective graphics for dental campaigns
- Design social posts and posters using Canva
- Use AI to help with content writing and idea generation
We’re nearly finished and would love to know who’s interested.
Just complete this quick [registration form] to be first in line when it launches.
2. Post and tag us
When you post your content on social media:
- Tag @DentalNurseNetwork
- Use hashtags #LoveLittleTeeth #SmileMonth
- Post to Facebook, Instagram or TikTok
Including #SmileMonth also helps connect your post with the wider national campaign. If you tag us on Facebook, we will share your post to help amplify your message and inspire others.
3. Help people visualise sugar with teaspoons or cubes
- One of the simplest ways to make the message stick is by converting grams into teaspoons or sugar cubes.
- One teaspoon or sugar cube is about 4 grams of sugar
- According to the NHS (2024), there is no recommended sugar limit for babies under 12 months. Sugar should not be added to baby food or drinks, and both the frequency and amount should be kept as low as possible
4. Use your own words
You are welcome to use the example slogan or create your own. A few ideas to inspire you:
- Hidden Sugar, Tiny Teeth
- Sweet Enough Already
- What’s Really in That Pouch
- Don’t Be Fooled by the Fruit
Key facts to include
According to the British Dental Association, some baby food pouches contain up to 19.5 grams of sugar per 100g, which is more than Coca-Cola
You can read the full BDA report and access their data here:
https://www.bda.org/media-centre/sugarier-than-coke-dentists-press-for-government-action-on-baby-food/
Final thought
You do not need to be a designer or social media expert to make a difference. You just need your professional voice and a message that matters.
Help us protect little teeth and raise awareness in your practice, community and online networks.
#LoveLittleTeeth
Helpful Resources
Dental Nurse Network - Baby Pouches: Organic on the Outside, Sugar on the Inside
British Dental Association – Sugarier than Coke report
BBC News coverage on baby food sugar levels
