A project to promote children’s oral health care through play has been expanded by the charity Action for Sick Children.
The north west of England has particularly bad statistics with regard to dental care – many children go through the unnecessary pain of having decayed milk teeth extracted.
The project currently covers areas in the North West, including Cheshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Manchester.
The Dental Play Box scheme supports the Early Years Foundation Stage and involves a visit from a play facilitator.
It is a free service available to schools, clubs, nurseries and other pre-school settings.
The main aim of the visit is to explore through play the importance of looking after your teeth and visiting the dentist.
A box of resources, which include role play uniforms, hand puppets, games, stories, toothbrushes and a teachers’ pack is left for a week after the session for the children to play with.
Feedback has been extremely positive.
Many children have gone on to develop good habits and after hands on experience with the Play Box, a visit to the dentist is now much less daunting.
To arrange a visit contact the Dental Play box team at [email protected] or phone 01663 763004.
