Organisers, the Oral Health Foundation, took the decision as the COVID-19 crisis continues.
In a statement on the charity's website, Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation, acknowledged that because the coronavirus pandemic 'has changed the way we live our lives', the charity has had to change how it works.
National Smile Month runs in between 18 May until 18 June and is the Oral Health Foundation's biggest annual event, designed to engage people about the benefits of good oral health.
Dr Carter writes: 'While we cannot know what lays ahead, it is highly unlikely the country will return to any sort of normality by then.
'Traditionally, National Smile Month is all about community. Whether it’s championing oral health in schools, workplaces, high streets or shopping centres. National Smile Month has given us a chance to connect with some of the most in-need and vulnerable people in the UK.
'With safety and good health being of the upmost importance, we have decided to make some changes to how we are approaching this year’s National Smile Month.
'Our charity, volunteers and thousands of supporters will be delivering oral health messages on digital platforms. In 2020, National Smile Month will be an entirely digital charity campaign.'
Last month, new statistics from Public Health England (PHE) revealed that around one-in-four (23%) of five-year-olds in 2019 had had dental decay.1
The findings were identical to the results of the previous survey in 2017, which suggests that no progress has been made towards tackling an unacceptable level of childhood tooth decay in England.
Dr Carter added: 'We believe a positive campaign about the value of a smile is needed now more than ever.'
The charity will be sharing ideas for digital activities and events you can run.
You can follow National Smile Month on social media platform:
Twitter (@SmileMonth)
Facebook (@NationalSmileMonth).
Also follow the Oral Health Foundation by searching @dentalhealthorg on Twitter and Facebook or simply ‘Oral Health Foundation’ on LinkedIn and Instagram.