PUPILS at Spring Meadows Children’s Centre were all smiles as a unique mobile dental classroom arrived to teach them how they can maintain a happy, healthy mouth.
The visit marked the launch of a unique ‘mydentist’ classroom by the team at the practice at Lees Road who are looking to improve the UK’s dental health.
The mobile dental classroom will be travelling the country with dentists and dental nurses on board to educate children about the benefits of looking after their teeth and what food and drink to avoid.
The project follows research which reveals children in the town have the second highest rate of dental decay in England, with 47.7 per cent having suffered from decayed, missing or filled teeth before the age of five.
Last year almost 500 children aged five to nine were admitted to hospital for multiple tooth extractions every week, making tooth decay one of the nation’s most common diseases amongst children.
Andrea Heywood of mydentist said: “Statistics show 30 per cent of children didn’t see an NHS dentist between 2012 and 2014 and dental issues continue to be the main reason for children being admitted into hospital.
“Our aim is to change this trend by raising awareness of the free dental care which is available to children on the NHS and also by showing children looking after your teeth is not only really important, but it can also be fun.”
During the visit children had the chance to identify which foods and drinks are good for their oral health and which are not.
Research by mydentist recently revealed 20 per cent of parents believe fruit smoothies are good for their children’s teeth, despite most containing high levels of sugar as well as acid.
Councillor Jean Stretton, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “The number of under-fives in the borough who have tooth decay is extremely worrying and it is a huge priority for the council, and its partners, to tackle this issue.
“We’ve been working hard with our partners – including mydentist – to provide support to parents as soon as their child is born. Together, we can ensure our children have smiles for life.”
Ms Heywood added: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the response our mobile dental classroom has received from schools, especially here in Oldham.
“Our lessons were attended by children from across the town and each were given a special goody bag containing a two-minute tooth brush timer and The Little Book of Big Smiles so they can carry on maintaining their dental health outside the classroom.
“This kicks off the start of our mobile classroom touring the country and we couldn’t have received a more positive response to the beginning of our journey to improve the UK’s dental health.”
For more information on the free dental care available to children in Oldham contact the mydentist practice located on Lees Road on 0161 624 7817 or visit www.mydentist.co.uk
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