About the Dental Wellness Trust
Founded in 2011
by leading London dentist, Dr Linda Greenwall – the Dental Wellness Trust charity has one simple mission and that’s to improve the general health and wellbeing of young children through dental wellness – especially those most in need. We believe good oral health is a basic human right yet dental decay is still the most common childhood disease world-wide.
LiveSmart supervised tooth brushing programme
The Dental Wellness Trust LiveSmart tooth brushing programmes address the ever-worsening crisis of child dental health. Initially set up to help communities in South Africa (with over 80% tooth decay rates in children under 5 years old), it is now being rolled out in UK schools and nurseries.
Every day, increasing numbers of children require not just a simple filling but often multiple fillings or extractions – usually caused by not brushing their teeth twice daily and consuming excessive sugary foods and drinks.
These children can present severe dental infections and swollen faces which require antibiotics or even sedation or a general anaesthetic. That’s why supervised tooth brushing programmes are vital for preventing tooth decay and unnecessary suffering.
Photo Credit: Isabelle Johnson / LEYF
Every penny donated…
is invested into teaching children how to brush their teeth properly – ranging from providing essential training for teachers and supervisors to an ongoing supply of toothbrushes and tooth paste.
It goes without saying, improved dental hygiene taught at an early age will have long term benefits for children’s teeth, fewer lost days at nursery and school and better health and wellbeing for children.
That’s why it’s imperative we have the full backing of the government and other partners / donors to invest in activities such as supervised toothbrushing and oral health education programmes for both Early Years and school children. Poor dental health can limit a child’s ability to eat, play, socialise and speak normally – not to mention the long terms effects in later life.
Doing nothing is simply not an option.
