Jennie’s BrightBites volunteering story
I have been working in dentistry for 10 years now, I completed an apprenticeship at the age of 29! Within those ten years, I have gone on to complete post qualifications. I started with decontamination lead, then lead nurse, before eventually completing my oral health education level 4. In the meantime our lovely Denplan representative put me in touch with BrightBites.
I feel really privileged to go into schools and talk to children about looking after their teeth. I also explain why oral health is so important. The children become sponges and take all the information in. They cannot wait to ask me questions or tell me their stories.
The kids can’t wait to tell me that their grandparents or parents have black teeth, I do try my best and explain to them it’s most probably amalgam fillings and that their parents do brush their teeth!
One of the most memorable talks I did, I explained to the children that they would all get a toothbrush and toothpaste to take home, and a little boy said “thank you very much, we have run out of toothpaste and mummy couldn’t afford any more just yet so we have been using mouthwash to brush our teeth”. It broke my heart, but also made me extremely proud that what I do has potentially helped a family.
I really believe these talks have a massive impact on children. If they help children brush their teeth, especially at night, it is a winner for me. I have spoken to over 1,000 children in the last six months. I have also completed a topical fluoride course, so I can now run my own clinics.
BrightBites have been absolutely fantastic to work with. Providing every single child with a toothbrush and toothpaste is just amazing!