Durham Pupils Get a Lesson in Oral Health from Mobile Dentist
A mobile dental van, which is currently touring the country, paid schoolchildren in Durham a visit last week.
The van, which is operated by one of the UK’s leading dental chains, mydentist, is visiting schools, health centres and nurseries around the country to try and encourage adults and children to take better care of their teeth and gums.
Last week, children from Gilesgate Primary School spent the day learning about healthy eating, teeth cleaning and visiting the dentist.
Melissa Nicholson, manager of the scheme, said statistics clearly show that many children miss out on dental care, despite the fact that NHS dental treatment is provided free of charge for under 18s. The campaign aims to educate children about oral hygiene and making positive choices, but it’s also hoping to raise awareness of the availability of NHS dental services around the country.
The most recent statistics show that 30 percent of children didn’t see a dentist in the 24 month period leading up to the end of March 2016. Dentists recommend routine check-ups for children every six months. They also provide preventative treatments for children, including fluoride varnish and fissure sealant treatments.
The children at Gilesgate learned a lot from the session, which was designed to be both fun and informative. The played games that helped them to learn more about making healthy food choices and also took turns pretending to be patients and dentists.
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