Staff and children at Acacia Children’s Centre St Albans are grinning from ear to ear after receiving their fourth Smiles 4 Miles award.
The Smiles 4 Miles initiative, run by Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV), aims to improve the oral health of children and their families in high-risk areas across Victoria.
The program is implemented locally by IPC Health, mostly in preschools.
IPC Health finance and corporate services general manger Ian Holland congratulated the centre on its award.
“Well done to Acacia Children’s Centre St Albans who worked together with IPC Health’s Smiles 4 Miles health promotion coordinator and getting this approved by DHSV,” said Ian.
“Acacia Children’s Centre St Albans has achieved this award for the fourth time with assistance and guidance of IPC Health since starting in the program in 2018.”
Tooth decay is Australia’s most common chronic health problem.
Smiles 4 Miles assists early childhood services to encourage and promote good oral health habits and healthy eating among children in their care.
In Brimbank, almost 48 per cent of children aged zero to five years old attending public dental services have at least one decayed, missing or filled tooth.
For children aged six to eight in Brimbank, that number is 70 per cent.
Children with tooth decay and poor oral health often have trouble eating, sleeping and paying attention at kindergarten or day care.
Fourteen kindergartens have signed up with IPC Health to participate in Smiles 4 Miles in 2025, joining the 44 childhood centres in Melbourne’s west that are already enrolled in the program.
Acacia Children’s Centre spokesperson Olivia Liron said the centre was “extremely pleased” to have its efforts recognised.
“IPC Health has been a huge support for us to achieve this milestone for the fourth time in a row,” she said.
