A new animated film has been launched aiming to stress the importance of regular brushing and dental check-ups for learning disabled and primary school kids.
Somerset Primary Care Dental Service has teamed up with students at Bridgwater College and a Somerset video production company to produce a new educational DVD for the learning disabled and young children about caring for their teeth and avoiding tooth decay.
The 13-minute animated film – called Teeth the Musical aims to enlighten viewers on the importance of brushing and caring for their teeth.
Teeth the Musical aims to enlighten viewers on the importance of brushing
Working with Somerset-based video production company JUMPcuts, students from Bridgwater College, who are participating in the ‘Towards Independence' course, were given the task of making a film which would explain why brushing and care of their teeth is important.
The students worked from more than four months with professional animators and musicians who incorporated their ideas, drawings, and voices into the completed animation.
The film features a boy called Fred who avoids a visit to the dentist. We see the reaction of his teeth, which talk and sing about the way he fails to brush his teeth or go to the dentist.
Rob Munday, clinical director of the Somerset Primary Care Dental Service, says: ‘Our oral health promotion team is skilled at developing innovative ideas into award-winning projects to improve the oral health, especially of children and adults with additional needs.
‘In linking with Bridgwater College and JUMPcuts, we think we have produced a winner which communicates an old message in a fresh and somewhat surreal way which will not only will appeal to the peers of the young people who produced it but, with its colourful animation and catchy songs, will break through preconceived ideas about oral health and bring a smile to all who view it. The aim is to keep that smile.
‘We will be circulating free copies if the DVD to local special needs schools and facilities supporting the learning disabled, however, we also hope to promote the film as an educational aid to mainstream primary schools and children's centres in Somerset and beyond.'
The first showing of the ‘Teeth the Musical' and launch of the DVD takes place on Wednesday 30 September at 10.30am at Hollingworth Hall, The Canalside, Bridgwater.
Students involved in the production of the animated film, representatives of JUMPcuts and members of the Somerset Primary Care Dental Service, Somerset Primary Care Trust, and Somerset County Council will be attending the launch and answering questions and giving feedback.
Organisations interested in obtaining copies of the DVD 'Teeth the Musical' should contact the Somerset Primary Care Dental Service by emailing OHPOffice@somerset.nhs.uk or ringing 01278 436622.
