Evaluation of Dental Playbox

 

February 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contents

 

 

1.  Summary                                             page 3

2.  Introduction                                         page 5

3.  Approach and Methods                          page 8

4.  Policy and Organisational Context                    page 9

5.  The Dental Playbox                               page 12

6.  Recommendations                                page 25

7.  Conclusion and Future Options               page 27        Appendix 1                                     page 29

     Appendix 2                                          page 30

 

                  

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14 Myrtle Park, Glasgow G42 8UQ                            

t: 0141 423 2442 m: 07786 001656 f: 0141 423 5492                                            e: susandevlin1@tiscali.co.uk                                                          

 

 

Summary

1

 

1.      Action for Sick Children (Scotland) and Boots (Group) PLC commissioned an independent evaluation of the dental playbox.

 

2.      To deliver the evaluation the methods used were desk research, stakeholder interviews and a case study in one nursery class.

 

3.      The dental playbox was developed in 2003 and was funded by The Community Investment Fund of Boots Group PLC.

 

4.      Boots has provided resources in excess of £75,000 for the duration of the 2 year project.

 

  1. The dental playbox had three aims;

 

    1. to encourage children to go to the dentist
    2. remove/lessen fear or anxiety about dental treatment  

c.     the promotion of oral health

 

 

  1. The conclusion of the evaluation is that the dental playbox has achieved its aims.

 

 

  1. During the life of the project 18,650 children have been involved in using the playbox.

 

 

  1. The playbox has been used with children and families who have required additional support such as; where English is not the first language, children with learning disabilities and children’s hospitals.

 

 

  1. Stakeholder feedback was overwhelmingly positive with many stating they would have liked a box permanently.

 

  1. There was little negative comment which related to specific items in the playbox such as hygiene concerns with items like the tongue depressors.

 

  1. The dental playbox is considered to be a valuable tool in introducing children to oral health, dental treatment and can relieve fears/anxieties about dental treatment.

 

  1. A number of future options are suggested for the dental playbox which include Action for Sick Children (Scotland);

 

·        targeting sick children

·        developing age specific playboxes

·        considering the social enterprise potential of the dental playbox

·        developing a dental playbag

·        applying for funding to ensure the continuation of the dental playbox

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

2

 

Dental decay is a preventable disease and addressing and improving children’s dental health will contribute to improvement in adults’ oral health. Significant contributors to high rates of dental disease in Scotland are high sugar consumption in diet and poor oral health. Every child in