Players for Nottingham ice hockey team the Panthers are scheduled to visit school children this week, in an effort to improve the levels of dental hygiene among the under-fives in the city. The players will begin with a trip to Djanogly Northgate Academy in New Basford on Wednesday, with the players joining an assembly to educate the pupils on the importance of keeping teeth and gums healthy.
The venture is part of a joint initiative between the ice hockey club and Nottinghamshire Healthcare after it was revealed that about 40% of five-year-olds in the county have at least one decayed, missing, or filled baby tooth. The Panthers’ equipment manager, Adam Goodridge, told the Nottingham post that ‘The players wear a lot of protective gear, but the gum shields and mouth guards are important as they protect teeth and gums and help prevent other injuries.’
Professor Mike Cooke, chief executive of Nottinghamshire Healthcare, was pleased that the Panthers had agreed to work with them to promote good oral health, adding that ‘The team are committed to breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health and reminding their supporters that a healthy body helps to maintain a healthy mind through their tips around staying fit and healthy.’