At Andrew Brown Dental Practice in Tavistock, we are thrilled to celebrate the ongoing success of our free dental kids club. In response to the prevailing oral health crisis and the shortage of NHS dentists, we took the initiative to provide vital support to our community. On Saturday, February 11, we held our inaugural event, offering oral hygiene advice, diet recommendations, toothbrushing instructions, interactive games, and helpful aids for children to take home. Encouraged by the positive response, we were excited to continue our dental kids club as a regular feature and we have since gone on to expand our outreach efforts to include regular visits to schools, nurseries, care homes and other institutions.
Addressing the NHS Crisis
As a dental practice, we were deeply concerned about the shortage of NHS dentists, particularly in the South West region. We understood the challenges faced by families in accessing regular dental care and the potential long-term complications associated with neglecting oral health. To proactively combat this crisis, we established the dental kids club to provide crucial information and assistance that may be difficult to obtain elsewhere.
The Accomplishments of the Dental Kids Club
We are proud to have empowered parents and children with the knowledge and tools necessary for maintaining optimal oral health. Through our dental kids club and oral health education visits , we provide comprehensive oral hygiene advice, emphasizing the importance of effective & consistent tooth brushing. We advise and educate on the important part that our diet and food choices play when we are looking at the long term health of our teeth & gums. Our interactive toothbrushing instructions and engaging games create a positive and relaxed environment for children to learn essential oral hygiene habits.
Expanding Reach and Building on Success
The success of our in house dental kids club inspired us to make it a regular feature, ensuring ongoing support for families in need of dental care and advice. We firmly believe that no child should be denied access to proper oral health education. Therefore, we actively explored opportunities to expand our outreach efforts beyond our practice. We now perform regular visits to schools, nurseries, care homes, charities and other institutions, bringing oral health education directly to a wider audience.
The Benefits of the Dental Kids Club
We were delighted to witness the positive impact of our dental kids club and educational visits have on both parents and children in the Tavistock and local communities. Parents who struggle to secure regular dental appointments for their children due to limited availability of NHS dentists find our oral health education to be a valuable resource. Participation in our dental kids clubs and visits empower both children and parents with the necessary information and assistance to prioritize their children’s oral health.
For children, our clubs and visits offer a relaxed and enjoyable, fun learning experience. Through interactive activities and engaging demonstrations, we aim to instill positive oral hygiene habits while fostering a deeper understanding of the importance of maintaining good oral health.
Serving our Community
At Andrew Brown Dental Practice, we were committed to addressing the oral health crisis and the challenges caused by the shortage of NHS dentists. The successful launch of our dental kids club signified our dedication to serving the community. By providing essential oral hygiene advice, diet recommendations, toothbrushing instructions, and interactive games, we aim to bridge the gap in oral health education. As our dental kids club and educational visits have become a regular feature we have expanded its reach to schools and institutions covering a wider area, we are confident in making a lasting positive impact on the oral health and well-being of children and families in Tavistock and beyond.