This week children in Worcester joined forces with Timmy the Tooth to encourage youngsters to visit their dentist on children only appointment days.
The latest figures reveal that more than a quarter of children in the west midlands will have been affected by tooth decay before they’ve started their first day of school (1).
Poor dental care is now the main cause of children aged between five and nineteen being admitted to hospital and 30% of children have never visited an NHS dentist (1).
To help prevent this and encourage more children to understand the importance of maintaining good dental health, the mydentist practice located on Ankerage Green has launched a service that’s exclusively for children.
Gemma Holland, practice manager says: "For many children the idea of visiting the dentist can be scary. Anxious children more often than not lead to stressed parents and as a result the whole experience can be a real challenge for everyone.
"We’ve been working hard with parents and our smaller patients to change this view and make maintaining a healthy smile a far more positive, fun experience.
"On selected dates in the school holidays we’ll now offer children only appointment days. During this time children will be able to get a full dental check-up and play with other children while they wait. They’ll also get lots of information from Timmy Tooth about how they can take care of their teeth.
"Although the service has just launched the feedback we’ve received so far from children and parents suggests our Children Days are a great success. Our next event is on the 9th April so we’re asking parents to book now to avoid disappointment."
In addition to offering children only days the practice is also offering free fluoride varnish treatments for all children throughout the Easter holidays (30th March until 17th April). Fluoride varnish helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening teeth and is recommended twice yearly for children aged three and upwards.
The practice, which is open six days a week including weekend and evening appointments, is currently welcoming new NHS and Private patients both young and old.
For more information on its new Children Days (available for children aged up to 16 years old), free child fluoride varnish, or to register as a new patient please call mydentist Worcester located at Unit 2 Ankerage Green on 01905 22727.
- The Faculty of Dental Surgery: The State of Children’s Oral health in England (2012 to 2014).