A dentist has hatched an unusual plan to try to protect the teeth of his young patients – giving them chocolate Easter eggs.

However, the eggs, being handed out by Dr Kalpesh Bohara to children and parents who go to his surgery, are not quite what they seem.

Instead of sugary sweet treats, they contain toothpaste and a toothbrush.

Dr Bohara, 32, from the Dental Suite, in Loughborough, admitted it was unusual for a dentist to hand out chocolate, but said the eggs were going out with advice to children on how to look after their teeth.

He said: "People might say it's crazy for a dentist to be giving out chocolate eggs to kids, but, realistically, with Easter coming up, they are going to be eating lots of the stuff, so I thought I would see if there was a way to take advantage of that.

"I was chatting with my wife, also a dentist, and we came up with the idea of a good egg."

Dr Bohara arranged for a batch of 50 white chocolate eggs to be made around some toothpaste, a brush and brushing instructions.

So far, he has given away 45.

He said: "Easter is a time kids like to enjoy a bit of chocolate and why not? They will do it anyway.

"Dentists wouldn't normally tell patients to steer clear of chocolate and other sugary stuff. It's a question of enjoying it in moderation and still looking after your teeth.

"This way, the children get a sweet treat, but are asked to think about taking better care of their teeth, too.

"The eggs have been flying out the door.

"The kids love them and I had some adults take a few."

A spokeswoman for the British Dental Association said: "It's a novel approach. We've not heard about any other dentists doing it.

"With a lot of chocolate likely to be eaten this Easter, it's probably best to do it with the advice of a dentist on brushing teeth.

"Our line is that sugary food should be limited to meal times for children and that they should brush their teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste."

David Porter, 39,of Loughborough, thinks the eggs are a good idea.

He said: "I would love to be able to give one to my son Ben, who is 10. I wouldn't tell him what's in it though.

"I'd love to see his face when he cracks it open expecting Mars bars, or something, and gets a toothbrush. It would be hilarious."

A note of caution was sounded by Katie Johnson, 26, from Loughborough, mother of Adam, aged five, and Luke, three.

She thinks having a dentist handing out chocolate might send out the wrong message.

She said: "I'm not one of his patients, but I think impressionable kids might think it's okay to eat loads of chocolate because their dentist hands it out."

Dr Bohara said he was not aware of other dentists doing a similar scheme, but a surgery in Trafford, Manchester, has also been handing out eggs with toothbrushes inside.