Initiative raises awareness of children’s rights

Launched on June 9, 2023, the British Society of Pediatric Dentistry’s (BSPD’s) new ‘Rights from the Start’ initiative will shine a spotlight on children’s and young people’s rights.

Jenny Harris, president of BSPD and consultant in community paediatric dentistry, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is launching BSPD’s children’s rights initiative in the UK to drive better awareness amongst dental professionals when seeing paediatric patients. At the centre of this initiative is a fact sheet outlining these rights according to The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Carrying endorsements from the British Dental Association (BDA) and the NSPCC, the fact sheet, which can also be used as a poster, was co-developed with support from the UK Committee for Unicef (Unicef UK) Child Friendly Cities and Communities programme.

The aim is to bring clarity for professional colleagues in dentistry and beyond - to anyone who works with children and young people - so that they can feel confident in their understanding of the rights that they must uphold for the youngest in our society.