The British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) has called for a nationwide ban on sales of sugary snacks and fizzy drinks on healthcare and education premises.
The UK’s leading oral health charity is urging healthcare and education centres across the UK to adopt a similar scheme used by NHS Tayside.
The Scottish health centre recently announced it will no longer stock unhealthy drinks in vending machines and canteens in its premises from next March following a successful pilot scheme, which has seen fizzy drinks replaced by healthier options such as unsweetened fruit juices and bottled water .
The move, which has been applauded by the BDHF, could see the Foundation adding sugary snacks to the list of undesirables for health and education organisations' snack and meal menus.
According to the Foundation, such changes highlight the intent of health authorities to boost oral health and overall health .
BDHF chief executive Dr Nigel Carter said: "The Foundation not only backs the NHS Tayside decision, but calls for a UK-wide ban on sugary drinks and snacks in hospitals, surgeries, health centres and schools ."
"Sugary products taken between meals are the main cause of tooth decay, which can lead to fillings and extractions . Your teeth are under acid attack and risk of decay for up to an hour each time you eat sugary products."
He added: "By tackling the sale of unhealthy snacks in schools, young people can be encouraged to get into good oral health habits at an early age."
Recent figures show that 50 per cent of Britain’s children under the age of five currently suffer from tooth decay .
