The closing date for submissions for the Award is 31 August 2015 and winners will be announced at the BDIA Dental Showcase, in Birmingham, in October. The first place winner will receive the exclusive opportunity to bring their design to life in partnership with the WOHP, BSDHT and a designer, and the winning design will be launched to and used by clinicians nationwide in 2016.
“As dental hygienists and those dually qualified in dental hygiene and therapy you play a vital role in helping patients to improve their oral hygiene and overall oral health,” says Michaela ONeill, BSDHT President. “We are delighted to partner with WOHP to launch this new award and to help make your ideal oral hygiene education aid become a reality.”
Prospective designs should take an innovative approach to oral hygiene education and must be portable, intended either for chairside use, or for patients to take away to encourage good oral hygiene behaviours at home. Entrants are encouraged to incorporate a range of commonly recommended oral hygiene practices, such as correct brushing technique, use of a fluoride toothpaste, advice on diet and eating habits and the role of sugar-free gum after eating and drinking – especially when on the go.
Entries will be appraised by a panel of judges, including BSDHT President, Michaela ONeill, an expert in marketing from WOHP, key opinion leaders from the dental profession and a representative from the design world. The panel will ultimately select three award winners – Gold, Silver and Bronze. All winners will receive a generous financial grant towards their education, as well as a one year supply of sugar-free gum for their clinic.
“WOHP is proud to be working alongside the BSDHT to recognise and celebrate clinicians in their role as the gatekeepers of oral hygiene education and instruction,” said Matthew Kent, Global WOHP Senior Manager. “The Oral Hygiene By Design Award 2015 allows us to continue our efforts to improve oral health by creating new resources to support the important work you do each day with patients. I encourage all members of the BSDHT to apply!”
The idea for the Oral Hygiene By Design Award 2015 was born from insights drawn from a survey conducted by WOHP at the BSDHT Oral Health Conference & Exhibition in Liverpool last year. More than 90 per cent of the dental hygienists and those dually qualified in dental hygiene and therapy surveyed said that they use materials or props to support oral hygiene instruction, but many respondents suggested that they would benefit from having one support tool in which all the information needed was clearly presented in a single, easy to use resource.
An award application form and further details on how to enter, judging criteria and award prizes can be found on the WOHP website: http://www.wrigleyoralhealthcare.co.uk/ All entries must be received by 23:59hrs (BST) on Monday 31 August 2015. Supporting documents sent by post must arrive no later than Monday 7 September 2015.