Expert calls in at schools to give vital advice
Youngsters at two primary schools have been given special “lessons” in oral health. Children at The Olive Tree Primary School in St Helens Road, Bolton, and at the East Ward Community Primary in Bury were visited by a member of staff from Synergy Dental Clinics as part of World Oral Health Day.
Hassan Mushaid, business development manager with the dental care group which has practices in the two towns, gave the children free toothbrushes and toothpastes. He also gave a presentation on both how to brush teeth properly over two minutes, and on the dangers to teeth of sugary drinks.
The move was part of a campaign by dentists internationally to heighten awareness of good oral health.
Dentist and Synergy clinical director, Dr Zuber Bagasi said: “Parents and children don’t realise how long two minutes actually are so we wanted to demonstrate how long two minutes should be, and used a children’s music video to brush along to which helped them. We provided the children with new toothbrushes and adult toothpaste to motivate them to brush their teeth. This is to wean them off the children’s toothpaste they may be using as it doesn’t contain enough fluoride for the North-West where we lack fluoridated water.”
Dr Bagasi added that the presentation on sugar was to show how much sugar snacks contain.
He said “This was a powerful tool that shocked the children, and even the teachers, especially with- how much sugar is contained in orange juice.