Edinburgh Community Food are delighted to receive funding from the Scottish Government’s Oral Health Community Challenge Fund to support families in the local community with nutrition and oral health advice. The Family Smiles project will have the longer-term ambition - in conjunction with other valuable programmes such as Childsmile - to support a reduction in the number of young children having a general anaesthetic for tooth extraction and increase the percentage of population free from carries experience.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the Family Smiles project provided a healthy lifestyles programme of cooking and nutrition sessions with families delivered in Early Years Centres, HMP Edinburgh Visitor Centre and our own early years groups across Edinburgh. Parents gained confidence in cooking healthy meals from scratch and learned how to achieve a healthy balanced diet with a focus on improving oral health.

Covid-19 update

Due to the current Covid-19 crisis, Jo (Food and Health Development Officer) is now holding weekly zoom cooking groups and oral health talks to continue delivering the Family Smiles project. If you would like to join in, please e-mail [email protected]

More support is available online including resources for children and information for parents further down this page. You might like to read Jo's Oh So Sweet leaflet which was written for inclusion in over 300 food boxes delivered to homes during the first week of May 2020. 

Advice for dental treatment during Covid-19 crisis

You may be aware NHS routine dental services recommenced on 2nd November. Anyone needing dental treatment should contact their dental practice as normal and they will be triaged by a dentist and referred to an urgent dental care centre if needed. 

Further information can be found on the Primary Care Landing Page on NHS Inform and Dentistry pages on NHS Inform





Dental emergencies

Dental emergencies need to be assessed and treated quickly to avoid the risk of permanent damage.

They include:

  • abscesses and swellings in and around the mouth
  • bleeding
  • trauma - for example knocking out a tooth

Registered with a dentist

If you're registered with a dentist and think you have a dental emergency during this period, phone your dental practice. They'll be able to tell you whether you should:

  • be seen by your dentist
  • go to a local hospital for care

Not registered with a dentist

If you're not registered with a dentist, follow the local advice given below:

Chalmers Dental Centre ‘Walk-in’ clinic: no appointment necessary.
3 Chalmers Street, Edinburgh EH3 9EW  Tel: 0131 536 4800.
Dental triage and advice service, Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm.
Dental treatment service, Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm.

For further information on the Family Smiles project please contact Jo on 0131 467 7326 or [email protected]

Look out for further information on our Facebook and Twitter 

Here are some useful resources for young children:

My Toothbrushing Diary Ages 3-6)

My Toothbrushing Diary Ages 7-10

Drinks for Babies and Young Children

Snack Ideas for Children

All about teeth crossword - Twinkl

Brushing Your Teeth Sequencing Card - Twinkl

Dental Snacks & Ladders