The ‘Magic Dentist’

Taunton and Wellington’s MP, Gideon Amos, has launched an innovative scheme to take dental care advice into local primary schools.

He has joined forces with The Magic Dentist charity to provide sessions across the constituency via an ‘Adopt a School’ programme.

The scheme will see dental practices visit schools to provide education on oral hygiene and care – all delivered through magic.

It comes after Mr Amos launched a dental survey across his constituency which attracted more than 2,000 responses.

The findings showed that nearly one in four children across Taunton and Wellington do not go to the dentist, with availability of NHS appointments being lower than the national, regional, and Somerset average.

The initiative was launched at an event at Taunton’s Holiday Inn – attended by representatives of local dental practices – to discuss children’s dental health and prevention.

The Magic Dentist is a charity set up by Nicki Rowland to combat the crisis in children’s dental health, with tooth decay being the leading cause of hospital admissions for five- to nine-year-olds across the country.

The event included magician Callum Weaver perform some of the tricks he has delivered to help children learn more about caring for their teeth.

The pupils’ homework is them to perform the tricks at home – passing on the advice they have been given in class.

Mr Amos said: “After years of declining NHS dentistry, children across Taunton and Wellington have been particularly badly hit.

“Our children are not just unable to get appointments, but dental education - like the school dentist - has all but disappeared.

“That's why I ran my second, even bigger, dental survey recently.

“Following that, and the last election, we have won more dentists from NHS Somerset, including here in Taunton and Wellington, but it's not enough.

“So, while I'm continuing to lobby the Department of Health and Social Care to reform the dental contract, it's clear that urgent new work - including work that is habit-forming in children - is needed if real prevention is to happen.

“Therefore, I am delighted to be joining The Magic Dentist team as an ambassador to oversee the ‘Adopt a School’ programme in Taunton and Wellington, in what is a first across the country.”

Nicki added: “The Magic Dentist charity is proud to partner with Gideon, working hand in hand to educate children – and their families – and create greater access to essential oral health provision.

“By combining our efforts, we are not only raising awareness but also breaking down barriers which prevent children from receiving the care they need.

“Together, we are laying the foundations for brighter smiles, stronger confidence, and healthier futures, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive, free from the pain and limitations of poor oral health.

The programme’s pilot will see Whyman House Dental Practice, part of Todays Dental, as the first local practice to adopt a school.

Staff at Whyman House will be undergoing training from The Magic Dentist ahead of going into a local school, to be announced soon, to deliver the sessions.

A spokesperson for the practice said: “We are absolutely delighted to be the first dental practice in the country to partner up with The Magic Dentist charity and ‘Adopt A School’.

It is such a wonderful cause – educating children and helping them feel more confident about their smiles, and we couldn’t be happier to be part of it.

“We are looking forward to making a difference for children in our local community.”

Other dental practices attending the launch with Whyman House were: