THE “Toothbus” by the Bargate Southampton is a valuable resource and more people should use it.

The dentist Meera ( from India, trained in Edinburgh ) and Cam (a dental nurse, from Philippines) examine teeth, suggest action and hand out a useful goody bag.

Toothbus is a NHS project.

I decided on the spur of the moment quite against regulations to have the Toothbus check my teeth.

The results were surprising!

Meera flagged up five problems three of which were not spotted by my three dentists in the last two years.

In addition she stated:

• You should brush twice a day; another dentist had told me once is sufficient.

• X-rays should be taken every two or three years; no dentist has ever done this for me.

• Inter-dental flossing is essential; only one dentist of about eight in my 62 years has told me that.

So consider visiting the Toothbus; please be aware to do it legitimately – you must not have seen a dentist in two years and resident in the UK. You may walk out smiling!

TOM DOAK, Weston, Southampton.