Can you help me put a smile back on people’s faces?

Did you know that the average adult has 32 teeth and that good oral care is about more than just a bright, white smile? Like myself, many of my connections have easy access to free dental care. Unfortunately, this is not the same for everyone in the UK and the situation is even worse abroad. Homelessness, poverty, education and access to services can all prevent adults and children getting the oral care they need.

So, what can be done and how can you help me to make a difference?

Those that have met me either personally or professionally will know that I like a challenge. A quick scan of my LinkedIn profile will reveal that over the last few years, as well as pushing myself in terms of my career, I have been throwing myself into a number of epic cycling races. 2018 is no exception.

On 29th July I will be cycling 100 gruelling miles in the Ride London Race. I have chosen to use this opportunity to raise funds for Dentaid and you can sponsor me by visiting my fundraising page here. My target is to raise ￡1,000 and I’d be extremely grateful for any contributions you can make.

Dentaid is a UK based charity that provides, dental education, equipment, training and services to those in need both in the UK and overseas and they need our help. Every ￡1 raised goes straight to the charity and will have a direct and positive impact on the outcomes they are able to achieve.

The power of LinkedIn is more meaningful than simple pounds, shillings and pence. I have an amazing LinkedIn network of highly skilled professionals that can each make their own unique contribution. By donating time, supplies or unwanted equipment you too could improve the health and wellbeing of others. So why not take a look at Dentaid’s website and see how you can help?

Far from being a luxury, regular dental check-ups can identify signs other underlying health conditions. 90% of systematic diseases produce oral signs that could be identified during a routine check and saliva provides a first line defence against many invading bacteria. Poor oral care can lead to problems with the management of immune conditions, diabetes and even contribute to pre-term labour. It's simple but important stuff. 

Whilst awareness of good oral health is prevalent in the UK, there are countries that aren’t quite so well equipped. Some nations still practice Infant Oral Mutilation (IOM). In these places parents, priests, midwives and traditional healers believe that removing a child’s unerupted teeth they can cure fevers or tummy bugs. The removal of these teeth with unsuitable and unsterilized tools without pain relief can cause septicemia, tetanus, transmission of blood-borne diseases such as HIV/ AIDS and can on occasions be fatal.

Dentaid is one of a number of charities supported by the Wesleyan Foundation a fund designed to provide financial support for great causes that are important to our members, customers and the communities in which we live and work. You can nominate a charity to receive funding or vote on the allocation of funds to existing applicants by visiting https://www.wesleyan.co.uk/foundation/

Thank you for reading this and I’d be really grateful for ant comments or support you can give me for this very worthy cause. Please click here to visit my MyDonate page.

Philip.