Alex Hepworth’s Post

✨Did Finding Nemo educate children on oral health?✨ As a dental nurse, I've seen it all – from the fearless little warriors who tackle the dentist's chair head-on to the ones who'd rather cling onto the spittoon for dear life. But here's the kicker: it's not just about the dentist visits or the dental procedures. It's about educating our kids from a young age about the importance of oral hygiene. Now, let me take you on a journey under the sea, where a certain clownfish named Nemo inadvertently sparked a fear of dentists in kids everywhere. Yes, I'm talking about that memorable scene from "Finding Nemo" where Dr. Sherman's dental office feels like a dentist's lair straight out of a nightmare. But hey, real-life dentists are nothing like that crazy guy with the fish tank. (I think). 😉 Yet, the fear persists. In the UK, there's a dental crisis among children and young people, with many unable to access dental care or petrified at the thought of sitting in the dentist's chair. This begs the question: why not incorporate oral health education as an active thought in schools? While it may not be on the curriculum, raising awareness about the importance of oral hygiene could make a world of difference. As dental professionals, it's our duty to ensure that children receive the care they need. Because their little smiles are the bigger smiles of the future. By empowering kids with the knowledge and tools they need to take control of their own dental hygiene, we can prevent dental disasters down the road and pave the way for a lifetime of healthy smiles. So, let's make a splash for children's oral health! Whether you're a dental professional, a parent, or simply someone who cares about the wellbeing of future generations, let's work together to ensure that no child flies under the radar when it comes to their dental care. After all, a bright smile is worth a thousand words – and it all starts with a little education and a lot of passion. Here's to healthier, happier smiles for our kids – because they deserve nothing less! 🦷😊 Leave your thoughts below! 👇 ⬇️ #OralHealth #ChildrensHealth #DentalCare #EducationMatters #dentists #pediatricdentistry #dentistry #childrenseducation

My child has a very bad toothache but he is too scared of the Dentist; how can I help him? Dental fear (and anxiety) among children is an issue of great concern to both Dentists and the patients′ parents. This issue has significant implications for both patients and dental professionals, which could result in delayed dental care or avoidant behavior by the patient. Negative impacts • Deterioration of oral health status • Anti-socialization • Affects quality of life of the individual. • Can make the procedure extremely stressful for dental staff Common causes of dental fear (and anxiety) can be from • Child’s own past bad dental experience • Negative influences from past dental experience of family members/peers • Clinic setting or Dentist might appear unappealing to the child • Presence/absence of parent/guardian at dental visit • Pain, sight of blood or needle during and/or before procedure Cooperation between the Dentist and the patient is needed to reduce the intensity of fear and panic attacks. Some things the Dentist will do to help your child: 1. The Dentist (and clinic team) will try to make your child feel comfortable and build trust by playfully chatting with him/her and giving a brief introduction of the clinic setting. 2. The Dentist will try to use certain techniques such as distraction or modelling a procedure on someone familiar to the child 3. The Dentist will strongly advise the parents/siblings/peers to have a positive influence on the child with regard to his/her dental needs As much as it is the Dentist’s role to help the child in their dental care, it is also a shared responsibility by parents/guardians. What a parent/guardian is expected to do: 1. Be present with the child at dental visit so the child feels your support and care 2. Be the role model by having positive influence on the child at dental visit or at home 3. Make the child’s dental needs a priority otherwise the Impacts highlighted will be very stressful and time-consuming for the child, parents themselves and dental team. Thank you for reading all the way through! That’s all for now. Cheers!

Top 7 Myths About Children's Dental Care Did you know that a staggering 80% of children in India experience oral health issues? There needs to be more clarity between what parents believe about their children's dental health and the reality. For instance, 70% of kids aren't brushing their teeth twice daily, and 60% haven't visited a dentist in the past year.  Read more: https://lnkd.in/g_z5bk9M

By having their dental appointments at a child-friendly practice, children are more likely to develop positive attitudes toward oral health and regular dental care. So how can you make sure your practice caters for children? Our blog shares some helpful tips: https://lnkd.in/eRz_egrN #ChildFriendlyDentalPractice #ChildrensDentalCare #DentalPractice

By having their dental appointments at a child-friendly practice, children are more likely to develop positive attitudes toward oral health and regular dental care. So how can you make sure your practice caters for children? Our blog shares some helpful tips: https://lnkd.in/eRz_egrN #ChildFriendlyDentalPractice #ChildrensDentalCare #DentalPractice

"More than half of children aged 6 to 8 have had a cavity in at least one of their baby (primary) teeth (CDC). The best way to predict if a child will have cavities on their adult teeth is if a child has cavities on their baby teeth. As a result, it is important to establish healthy habits early." J.R. Franco, DDS Dental Health Center at International Circle Dr. Franco shares how to establish a dental routine with your child on our blog. #peakvistacommunityhealthcenters #pvchc #coloradosprings #colorado #healthcenter #jrfrancodds #dentaltip #dentalhealth #dentist

Supervised toothbrushing for children might be on the agenda as a new NHS Dental initiative. After a sugar-laden Christmas, where sweets are seemingly unavoidable (at least they seemed to be for my two young children!), the idea that there will be some extra encouragement at school for kids to get into a good brushing routine is well-timed good news. It has been reported that in 2022, 29% of five-year-olds in England had tooth decay. That’s an incredibly high number. Let’s see if supervised toothbrushing programs for young school children can truly help to form good habits and dental hygiene or whether it ends up being a costly gimmick… Here’s hoping it at least helps to get the message to kids about how important dental health is! #Dentistry #InsuranceInnovation #NHS #MedicalInsurance #Dental

Parental leave for dentists – what should you be thinking about? Dental specialist financial adviser Katherine Hill, for Wesleyan Financial Services, discusses what dentists should be thinking about when it comes to maternity and paternity leave ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/egz2wvbW In partnership with Wesleyan #dentistry #parentalleave #maternityleave #paternityleave

How Does Thumb Sucking Affect the Teeth? If your child continues to suck their thumb at the age of 4 or 5, it is advisable for parents to consult a pediatric dentist. Seeking help at an early stage can resolve dental problems and teach kids better habits for their teeth. #teethcare #dentalhealth #dental #children #habits #dentalproblems #healthcare #FelixHospital

🦷✨ Parents often ask if or when we should do a dental cleaning for their young children. We do cleanings on young children (under 5) for several reasons: 1. We clean the teeth to aid in our examination and as an opportunity for patient education. We can get a better sense of how brushing at home is going and give parents tips on how to do better. 2. It allows us to introduce dental tools and sensations to children to get them used to dentistry and having others working in their mouth. This helps kids understand what we are using and how it feels to develop a positive understanding and experience towards dentistry. We don't necessarily do cleanings on children at a set particular age. All of this is a learned process and will be slowly introduced to your young child when they are comfortable and ready. 😁 We assess this readiness each time you come in for a checkup. So don't skip your check-up - schedule your appointment today! #ChildrensDentalWorld #ChildrensDentalHealth #ChildrensDentist #InvisalignProvider #PediatricDentistrySpecialists #WpgDentist