The Dental Awards 2021 Winner - Best Charity Initiative
We are thrilled that we have won The Dental Awards 2021 Best Charity Initiative for the second year running! It was our Dental Buddies programme which was recognised this year, a project delivered in partnership with colleagues from the University of Plymouth.
“This is a brilliant scheme aimed at children and their parents, delivered via groups such as the Cubs and Brownies exploring the level of sugar content in food and its impact on oral health.”
The programme engages with children and young people via Cubs and Brownie groups in Plymouth to explore the impact of sugar on oral health. We encourage the children to use the Sugar Smart app to see how much sugar is in foods such as breakfast cereals, snacks and drinks as well as discussing toothbrushing, the importance of fluoride and the benefit of a happy and healthy smile. Oral health gift bags are given to each child which contain dental access signposting information as well as a toothbrush, toothpaste and a two-minute timer.
We encourage the children to share key oral health messages with others and have been delighted that groups have given presentations for parents and group leaders as a result of our visits.
The sessions are lively, fun, and full of energy, with the children demonstrating their interest and desire to find out more about teeth.
We would like to thank everyone who was part of this brilliant project, especially our University of Plymouth colleagues who provided the academic and research expertise and the Plymouth Institute of Health Care and Research who kindly provided the funding for the pilot project.
Special thanks to all the Cubs and Brownies and their leaders who made this project so amazing; we could not have done it without them!
Wendy Smith MBE
June 2021