School Spotlight: Phoenix Community Primary School 

This month we’ve turned the spotlight to Phoenix Community Primary in Ashford. We’ve spoken with Amy Harris, our Schools Coordinator who piloted the Tooth Brush Programme with Phoenix to great success. The Tooth-brushing Programme helps provide toothbrushes and tooth paste in school and support teachers educate young children on the importance of regular brushing…
How did the Hygiene Bank become involved with Phoenix Primary?The schools family liaison officer got in touch regarding the need for hair brushes and shampoo. In time the Head mentioned the issue with children coming into Reception classes with severe tooth decay and having had teeth removed. He wanted to change this and so the Tooth-brushing Programme was born!
What is the Tooth-brushing Programme? With the help of a monetary donation from Tesco’s Tenterden and donations of toothbrushes and toothpaste from BrushbabyUK we were able to provide items for in school and at home. Reception and Year 1 children, with the support of their teachers tend to brush their teeth at the beginning of the school day.Going forward, we have partnered with Pennypont Dental, who are going to support us with the initiative here and hopefully in other areas too!
What feedback have you had from the school ?Yes, Chris Johnson, the Head Teacher’s input is an important part of how we develop any school programme. Chris says “ Children’s self-esteem is really affected by comparing themselves or the reaction of their peers. Just thinking that they are different, being teased, left out or bullied because of poor basic hygiene, leads to a loss in confidence with damaging consequences that affects their learning but also has a long term emotional impact. We should do everything we can to help children have their basic needs me”.
The Tooth-Brushing Programme:Do you know a school that would benefit from this particular support ? Or are you a dentist practice that would love to help their local schools, through educating young children on the importance of dental hygiene and donating products? If so, please get in touch with our Schools Coordinator Amy Harris amy.harris@thehygienebank.com