THE NHS Trust behind Okehampton Community Hospital has launched a new website to promote the importance of having healthy teeth.

The Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust has launched the Healthy Teeth Devon site, which features a wealth of information about oral health aimed at the public, teachers and healthcare professionals.

The launch comes after the release of figures that show more than 500 children were referred to the trust in the last year for tooth extractions under general anaesthetic, mainly due to decay.

Colin Flanagan, lead in oral health promotion, said: 'For too long oral health has been seen as treating the symptoms of disease. We have tried to address this by tackling the causes of decay, gum problems and cancer.

'Dental decay is one of the most common diseases in our world today but is nearly always preventable.

'The website contains a lot of oral health information, detailing what can maintain oral health and what is detrimental to the health of the mouth and body.

'There are information pages for the public, presentations that schoolteachers can use, messages that health professionals can give and website addresses that can give more information.

'As the site develops we will continually provide up-to-date, evidence-based advice.'

Visitors can find out more about the satellite dental clinic in Okehampton as well as the dental access centres at Barnstaple Health Centre and Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

The public can use the site to find an NHS dentist and access information about treatment available, dealing with toothache, getting help with costs and much more.

There are leaflets on looking after your teeth as well as fact sheets, video clips and frequently asked questions.

Teachers can access lesson plans, presentations and a series of fun, interactive activities for children. For healthcare professionals and educators, there are a number of training presentations plus information on key messages.

The website also contains information about the trust's Salaried Dental Service, which provides treatment and assistance to patients across Devon.

The trust is planning to create an educational DVD about healthy teeth, aimed at children aged up to five years old. It will focus on the importance of brushing your teeth last thing at night and at one other time during the day using fluoride toothpaste, of a healthy diet in general and of having regular check-ups with a dentist.

For more information you can visit the site, http://www.healthyteethdevon.nhs.uk">www.healthyteethdevon.nhs.uk