The School of Dentistry Smile Squad team was recently invited to attend the LFC legends charity match on March 22nd. With all the proceeds supporting the crucial work of the LFC Foundation, the event was a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause. It was an exciting afternoon for all in attendance, made even better by the Liverpool legends securing a 2-0 victory over the Chelsea legends.
At the School of Dentistry, we are proud to collaborate with the LFC Foundation’s Smile Squad programme, where we work to address the pressing issue of childhood dental health across the Liverpool City Region.
The Smile Squad was formed in 2022 and working with Elbow Lane Dental Care, our Paediatric Dentistry team plays a key role in delivering essential dental care and education to children who need it most in our city. The Smile Squad focuses on three key areas of action to improve oral health locally including, supervised toothbrushing and screening in primary schools, workshops at LFC Foundation football sessions, and via refugee outreach.
The statistics spotlight the urgency of this work - nearly half of five-year-olds in Liverpool have visible dental decay which can lead to extractions and 9 out of 10 hospital tooth extractions among children are due to preventable decay. The figures in the Liverpool City Region paint a bleak picture being higher than both the national average and the average for the north-west, emphasizing the urgency for intervention.
Throughout this football season the Smile Squad has conducted dental checks in eight primary schools, identifying that almost 40% of children required a referral for further dental care. The children in need can then receive further care at the Liverpool University Dental Hospital where they will be treated by our students and expert staff.
Funds raised through the LFC legends charity match will directly support this vital programme, allowing us to expand our work and reach even more children in need. The LFC Foundation are now on track to raise over 1 million pounds for their health programmes across the city. At the University of Liverpool, we are committed to improving children's oral health, and through partnerships like this, we can make a lasting impact.