Queensway raises awareness of oral health in the community

Dozens of families from Teesside attended an Oral Health Family Fun Afternoon at Queensway Dental Clinic to celebrate National Smile Month.

The free event held at the dental clinic’s Education Centre near the Billingham Clinic, aimed to raise awareness of good oral hygiene amongst parents and their children in a fun, educational way as part of National Smile Month.

The afternoon’s activities included oral health and healthy eating advice, tooth brushing demonstrations, face painting, a colouring competition and a magic show. Children were also given a goody bag, which contained a toothbrush, a toothpaste and carrot seeds to grow a healthy snack.

Mrs Duffy from Billingham, a patient at Queensway Dental Clinic, brought her three grandchildren aged four, nine and eleven along to the family fun afternoon. She commented: “The afternoon was really good and the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The staff worked with them, teaching them how to brush their teeth correctly and showing them how much sugar there is in everyday food products – which are much more than you think surprisingly. Staff also provided me with a ‘Quit Kit’ after I told them I wanted to stop smoking, which was really helpful and I’ll definitely start to use it.”

Janet Kinchin from Middlesbrough attended the family fun afternoon with her five-year-old daughter, Lucy. She added: “We had a great day and Lucy tried everything on offer. The practice made the educational elements really interesting for the children helping them to understand what good oral health is, such as showing them what can happen if you don’t look after your teeth properly, which my daughter really took notice of. I’m pleased we went and I know Lucy certainly is.”

Ian Lane, managing partner, Queensway Dental Clinic said: “We’re thrilled at the turnout for the family fun afternoon and everyone’s feedback. Families turned up throughout the afternoon to find out more about good oral health and how to keep little teeth clean and bright while also having a lot of fun. Queensway has always worked on the premise that prevention is better than cure for both children and adults, and the event was just one of a number of ways we help the public to increase their knowledge and understanding to improve oral health throughout the region. We have a year of great events and developments planned at the Clinic, and we’re looking forward to enjoying the same success.”

As part of National Smile Month and to continue their work within the local community, dental nurses from the Clinic are also visiting a Billingham primary school to present an interactive educational session – ‘Teeth Talk’ – for some of the pupils.

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