Voluntary Dentistry Team making an impact at the Commonwealth Games
18 August 2022
by Ian Newbold
Part of the team photographed before the start of the Games
The 2022 Commonwealth Games were held in Birmingham. The School of Dentistry, University of Birmingham was entrusted with organizing the Oral Health for the athletes at the three villages. A team of volunteers was put together led by Dr Josette Camilleri and after several training sessions they were ready for action. The team was composed of students from BDS Year 2 to Year 5 and SOHT, NHS trainees, academic and support staff accompanied also by the Head of School Dr Kirsty Hill. Together they manned the oral health stations at the Commonwealth Birmingham, Warwick and NEC villages.
The Oral Health station at the villages
The shifts were long and tiring with the morning shift starting at 07.00 till 15.00 and the second shift from 15.00 to 11.00. The Oral Health stations were located in the canteen are to be able to reach out to the athletes when they were at leisure. The teams reached out to the athletes and each athlete was given an oral health pack consisting of a toothbrush and a set of interdental brushes. These were generously donated by Curaprox. The athletes were even given two leaflets sponsored by the British Endodontic Society. These leaflets were designed by Ms Rachel Strickland and Ms Tashmaiah Priya both from King’s College London. The British Endodontic Society had launched a nationwide competition for the design of a trauma and oral health education leaflet and awarded both winners for their successful designs.
The Oral Health stations at the Games Villages and the students sitting with the athletes offering oral health advice. We joined the athletes while eating and walking around the village. We reached out to everyone including the youngest athlete at the games
The teamwork was very evident. Each shift left over the materials required and directed the next team through a dedicated whatsapp chat and even organized shared transport. The students were more than happy to change shifts even at the last minute to accommodate their colleagues. There were good vibes all around. Besides manning the oral health stations, all the volunteers distributed and collected questionnaires to the athletes. These questionnaires were part of research undertaken by University College London led by Dr Peter Fine. On occasions they even helped out at the dental clinic with assisting and offering oral health advice to the patients attending there.
Danielle assiduously checking the questionnaires and sorting them out and Fran being driven to Warwick like a queen
Everyone was having a blast and as the Games advanced and medals started being won, the volunteers started getting visits by the medalists. There was even a close sighting of HRH The Prince of Wales at the Vale on his way to the opening ceremony and the Duke and Duchess of Wessex at NEC. We were visited by everyone and we taught gold medallists how to have an effective brushing technique and also gave substantial dietary advice to all. The athletes visited our stations and even posed with us and for us. The students stunned everyone with their charisma and work ethic.
The celebrity sighting and athletes visiting us at the Oral Health station. Prince of Wales at the Vale, the Duke of Wessex, Prince Edward at NEC, Steve Barclay, Health Secretary at the Vale. Dame Flora Duffy gold medallist in triathlon collecting her Curaprox toothbrush, Jake Jerman who got multiple gold medals and other UK athletes, Dame Sophie Pascoe and Lewis Clareburt, a photoshoot by the athletes at the station as well as Keeley Hodgkinson silver in 800m and Jona gold in 4X100m relay, bronze medallist for the 55kg weightlifting, our very own Yasmin who won bronze in Judo and of course even the armed forces who also visited our oral health station
And what went on behind the scenes? Prior to the games we had several meetings with the polyclinic managers and also the Head of Service Dr Jason Niggli. Sponsorships were sought and after calling several ports in a number of countries sponsorships were secured from Curaprox for the toothbrushes to make up the athlete packs and British Endodontic Society who sponsored the two education leaflets. The School of Dentistry sponsored the banners and the education material. Sponsorships were also obtained from Septodont, Prima Dental and GC Europe for supplies required by the dental services making our mission complete.
The volunteering experience was unique and everyone worked tirelessly to keep the services running and going out of their comfort zones to help out. Friendships were made and renewed. We all enjoyed the experience tremendously.
The oral health and dentistry leads with Perry, and the athletes thanking the sponsors
Be Bold. Be Birmingham
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