Magic Dentist Programme Teaches Children Oral Health in Somerset Schools
Taunton and Wellington pupils learn brushing and flossing through magic tricks this term
Children in Somerset are learning about oral health in primary schools through The Magic Dentist charity’s Adopt A School programme. The initiative is running this term in schools across Taunton and Wellington.
The programme trains dental professionals to support teachers in delivering lessons on brushing, flossing, and dental care using interactive magic tricks. Pupils are encouraged to take the tricks home to practice.
The scheme is supported by Taunton and Wellington MP Gideon Amos, who has worked with The Magic Dentist charity to bring the programme into local schools.
Nicky Rowland, founder of The Magic Dentist charity, said: “We’ve tried it with children in dental practices and schools before rolling out this campaign with Gideon, and the children are loving it. Normally, a child’s running for the door in a dental practice. We can’t get rid of them because they’re having so much fun.”
The programme even features a magician, Callum Weaver, formerly part of Derren Brown’s team, who developed nearly ten tricks underpinned by Public Health England oral health messages. nICKY’s favourite trick teaches children how many teeth they will have as adults using simple mathematics.
Rowland said she started the programme after seeing children as young as five needing multiple teeth extracted under general anaesthetic in her own practice. “It’s heartbreaking. It doesn’t just cause pain and anxiety; it affects school attendance and learning,” she said.
The Adopt A School programme aims to provide early education on dental health, combining teaching with interactive techniques to engage pupils.