Open Wide and Step Inside Programme

Our Open Wide and Step Inside Program is aimed at children in Year 2 and supports teachers with their early years statutory framework to promote good oral health and deliver important key oral health messages.

This is a free 45-minute session which includes a 15-minute animated film about Geoffrey the Giant who doesn’t like to look after his teeth and has never visited the dentist! With the help of his friends, Geoffrey learns some important key oral health messages which are vital in keeping his mouth healthy. Following the film there will be an interactive session engaging with the children, instilling those important key messages.

At the end of the session each child will receive an Oral health pack which include resources to enable toothbrushing at home.

This programme was established as a response to the alarming deterioration in children’s oral health, with almost a quarter of 5 years olds currently experiencing tooth decay and having on average of three-to four teeth affected, which consequently leads to the child needing multiple extractions under general anaesthetic. Tooth decay is largely preventable, so the promotion of better oral health in young children needs to be a top priority.

Specifically designed lesson plans and children’s workbooks have been created which can be digitally sent to your school for extra support to these sessions giving additional learning opportunities on this topic.

Staff delivering the programme will carry a DBS certificate.

If you have any questions please contact dentaloutreach@plymouth.ac.uk or call 01752 434365

Teachers download resources pack

This contains a selection of activities, a Teachers classroom kit and children’s workbook. This resource is only available to schools who have received the ‘Open Wide & Step Inside’ Programme. If you have received to programme you will have been given a pass code which can be used to access the resources. If you would like more information on the programme please contact us: dentaloutreach@plymouth.ac.uk