Over 420 pupils at Carclaze Community Primary School will continue improving their oral health after West Carclaze Garden Village enhanced their commitment to Brighter Smiles – Cornwall’s oral health campaign.
Their generous £1500 per annum contribution reflects the company’s commitment to reversing the continuing trend of avoidable tooth extractions from children in Cornwall – a serious public health issue which sees around 20 children aged 5-9 admitted to hospital each week to have their teeth removed under general anaesthetic. It is the number one reason for hospital admissions amongst the age group but 100% preventable.
This support has enabled our Brighter Smiles team to set up toothbrushing clubs in the reception classes, apply fluoride varnishing to the teeth of reception and year 1 pupils, and deliver oral health education to all the schools’ pupils with home education packs for all to encourage continued good practice at home with the whole family.
Simon Pollard, Head Teacher at Carclaze Community Primary School said “We are extraordinarily grateful to West Carclaze Garden Village for continuing their generous support which will enable the Brighter Smiles team to have an even bigger positive impact on the oral health of our school community. The pupils really look forward to seeing the team and their dragon and engage so well with the fun oral health activities which fit so well with our school values of: Care, Communicate, Persevere and Sparkle”.
Dorian Beresford, Chief Development Officer who is leading the development of the West Carclaze Garden Village scheme, commented: “It is paramount that good dental hygiene is practiced from a young age, both to reduce tooth decay and form lifelong habits. The Brighter Smiles programme do a brilliant job with prevention and education about oral health, and we’re thrilled to continue with our support for the programme, particularly as so many of Carclaze school’s pupils live in close proximity to our new garden village, at the heart of which is health and sustainability”.
Jonathan Bouwer-Davies, Smile Together Dental Director, explains: “Our contract with Cornwall Council sees us help thousands of children in areas of high decay across the county but there is still a huge amount of work to do to reach more children to reverse this worrying trend. We are therefore hugely appreciative of the funding that West Carclaze Garden Village and indeed our other generous supporters contribute towards improving the long-term oral health outcomes for children in Cornish communities. Collectively we are really making a difference and it’s great to continue this impact together.”
In addition to Cornwall Council and West Carclaze Garden Village, Brighter Smiles is supported by local and national organisations such as Fuel Communications, Imerys, DecaDent and Seafarers Hospital Society. In previous years around 95 schools, nurseries and family hubs and 6,500 children have regularly engaged in our programme but with 280 schools in Cornwall there is still much more to do. With Covid-precautions in place the team are back out visiting Cornish schools and nurseries so if you would like to join in supporting your local school in your local community please contact tracy.wilson17@nhs.net.
