Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page, raising money for Teeth Team and helping to tackle child tooth decay.

• 1 in 4 five year olds are affected by tooth decay according to recent government figures.

• 3 school days a year are missed on average per child due to tooth decay.

• The number 1 cause for child hospital admission in the UK is tooth decay.

These national statistics are shocking enough, but a report from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities published in February 2024 found that school children living in Yorkshire and the Humber - where I live and practise dentistry - were more likely to have experienced tooth decay (23%) than children living in the South West (12%).

I am Clinical Director of Teeth Team, a charity I helped to set up in 2010 to combat the high prevalence of tooth decay amongst local children and the lack of access to dental care in our area.

Teeth Team provides in-school oral healthcare to local primary schools. This includes facilitating a supervised tooth brushing programme that takes place daily in the classroom. It also includes the application of fluoride varnish to help prevent decay and regular clinical assessments from volunteer dental teams who visit the school.

Teeth Team has made a real difference in its partner schools and we have huge ambitions to expand our services and improve the oral health outcomes of even more primary school children. Good oral health habits make such a difference to general health in later life and our kids involved in Teeth Team take these habits home to their families as well!

I am delighted to be taking part in the London Marathon to raise more funds to help keep our services running for the benefit of local children. It will be a pleasure and a privilege to drag my ageing body around London and take part in the amazing atmosphere on the day!

I'd be so grateful if you could dig deep and pledge as much as you can. It will add an extra spring to my step, knowing that I, and Teeth Team, have your support!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to us at Teeth Team. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.