Healthy snacks

The Department of Health has announced a scheme whereby parents of toddlers will be able to obtain free fruit and vegetables.

The move is an extension of the existing scheme under which parents receive vouchers for free milk.

Parents on low incomes will be eligible for the vouchers and the Department of Health says it is aiming to improve nutrition in poorer families.

Health Secretary John Reid said it was not the government's role to lecture families, but it wanted to encourage people to eat more healthily.

Water Bill

Communities across England and Wales are to be given the chance to choose to have fluoride added to their water supplies. In a vote on Clause 58 of the Water Bill in November MPs rejected an outright ban of fluoride schemes by a large margin and similarly voted against a move that would have put the power in the hands of local authorities rather than strategic health authorities. The Bill then moved smoothly to third reading, giving communities across England and Wales the chance to choose to have fluoride added to their water supplies.

Well represented

PCD associations representing receptionists, dental nurses, dental therapists, practice managers, hygienists and technicians will be present at the BDA's British Dental Conference and Exhibition from 6-8 May 2004 at the Bournemouth International Centre, making this year's conference more relevant to PCD groups than ever before.

The Conference and Exhibition coincides with the 2004 British Association of Dental Nurses Conference that will be held in Bournemouth on Saturday 8 May 2004.