Welcare Redhill brought plenty of smiles to Messy Play and Happy Tots on 25 November, as families took part in two engaging oral-health education sessions designed especially for toddlers and their carers. There was hands-on learning, practical demonstrations and plenty of fun.
These sessions couldn’t be more timely. Across the UK, tooth decay remains the most common reason for hospital admission among children aged 0–5, with thousands of under-fives requiring treatment every year. By helping families build healthy habits early, Welcare hopes to play a small but important part in turning those statistics around.
Led by Kat Wicksteed, a volunteer dentist from The Dental Aid Charity the sessions focused on simple steps families can take to protect young teeth. Kat guided parents and carers through essential advice on oral-health routines, healthy diet choices and the correct tooth-brushing technique—complete with a giant demonstration mouth to make learning memorable for even the youngest attendees.
Thanks to the wonderful support from BrightBites Charity, each family also received a selection of resources to take home, including:
- Booklets, stickers and posters
- A toothbrush and toothpaste for every child
- An interactive PowerPoint presentation to support learning
- The ever-popular demonstration mouth model for hands-on practice
The atmosphere was lively and supportive, with children eager to explore the materials and caregivers keen to learn tips they could put into practice straight away. The take-home packs were especially appreciated, helping families continue good habits long after the session ended.
We are delighted to share that Kat Wicksteed has generously offered to volunteer her time on an ongoing basis, enabling Welcare to host these oral-health sessions every term. This rolling programme means more families will have regular access to expert guidance in a relaxed, friendly setting.
