South Devon UTC Year 10 Health & Social Care students were treated to expertise of Lisa Griffiths who is the Clinical Educator from Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise CIC.  She came to the college twice, first to give an informative talk about the importance of dental hygiene and gum health.  The focus for the second workshop linked with a unit of study in the course, ‘Infection Control and Prevention’ and students were able to see how some of the theory they had studied  in the classroom was practiced in a clinical environment.  Lisa talked to the students about the importance of personal hygiene and the correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as well as instructing them about the rigorous cleaning and sanitising procedures that have to take place in a clinical environment.  The students were shown just how far droplets spread through sneezing, reinforcing the message of ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’.    Lisa then put some special cream in their hands and then instructed them to wash it off.  This cream shows up under a UV light, so we were then able to see just how well they had washed their hands – of course, they had all washed their hands properly!  The students were also excited to receive ‘goody bags’ made up of dental hygiene items. 

We are always very grateful and appreciative of the time and expertise that our partners in industry give to our students and would like to thank Lisa for her time and for a very informative and enjoyable workshop.