Six people from CHAMPs – Cornwall Health and Making Partnerships – developed the ‘Brush DJ’ rap to the tune of the Robbie Williams song ‘Rock DJ’ and recorded it at the studios of Plymouth Music Zone.
The team, part of health promotion for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, came up with the idea while completing a dental ambassadors training course developed by the Community Engagement Team at Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE).
They spent several weeks learning from PDSE experts about oral hygiene, tooth brushing, the importance of fluoride, healthy eating, reducing sugar intake and accessing dental care.
The dental ambassadors came up with the rap idea while working on presentations with activities for audiences to help them understand key oral health messages.
PDSE’s Wendy Smith said, “Their ‘Brush DJ’ rap to the Robbie Williams song ‘Rock DJ’ is truly inspiring.
“Their knowledge, confidence, enthusiasm and presentation skills were brilliant.”
As part of their ongoing work across Cornwall, the CHAMPs take oral health knowledge to special schools, health centres and adults with learning disabilities at colleges and workplaces.
The dental ambassador scheme, which is supported by Henry Schein, offers people with learning disabilities the understanding, awareness and confidence to encourage their peers to adopt better oral hygiene and make regular visits to the dentist.
CHAMPs helps to make sure people with a learning disability and/or autistic spectrum condition get equal access to health services. Its main activities are checking health services, raising awareness of learning disabilities and promoting healthy lifestyles.
Robert Witton, director of PDSE, says, “PDSE is proud to support such a successful and innovative project. The ambassadors are truly inspirational and they are making an important contribution to improving oral health in the community for other adults with learning disabilities.”