When it comes to promoting oral health equity, we often overlook a powerful resource: the creativity and innovation of children. The recent achievement of Ace-Liam Ankrah, a 2-year-old Ghanaian artist recognized by Guinness World Records as the “World’s Youngest Male Artist,” serves as a reminder of the untapped potential that lies within young minds.
As a child, my own experiences with oral health education were limited. Storybooks, cartoons, and games rarely touched on the importance of dental hygiene or the significance of maintaining a healthy mouth. This disconnect between the world of children and oral health advocacy is a missed opportunity to engage their natural curiosity and boundless creativity.
Imagine a world where children’s books, animations, and VR games seamlessly wove in lessons about brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits. Their vivid imaginations could be harnessed to create engaging stories, characters, and adventures that not only captivate young minds but also foster a lifelong commitment to oral hygiene. This approach could break down barriers and promote equity in access to dental care from an early age.
Children’s innovative thinking could also shape the very products and technologies used in oral health care. Their perspectives could inspire the design of toothbrushes that are not only functional but also appealing and fun to use, encouraging consistent brushing habits. Children’s ideas have the potential to revolutionize oral health education materials, making them more relatable and engaging.
Children are naturally enthusiastic with so much curiosity, this is an essential trait of powerful ambassadors. We just need to put the right message in their mouth. Now is the time to engage children in oral health advocacy efforts, this would empower them to become agents of change within their own communities. When they are given a platform to share their perspectives and ideas, their messages can cut through barriers, inspiring collective action toward greater access to dental care for all.
At Dentalcare Foundation, we started oral health storybook clubs with a bigger vision than just sharing the story of Anita from “The Girl Who Found Her Smile” the children’s book I wrote. Our goal is to bring children together and empower them to create their own songs and stories about oral health. We believe their creative narratives would connect with their peers on a deeper level and also inspire them to genuinely care about their mouth health from a young age.
The success of Ace-Liam Ankrah reminds us that age is no barrier to creativity and innovation. Just as this young artist has captivated the world with his talent, children’s contributions to oral health equity advocacy could be transformative.
To truly achieve equity in oral health, we must embrace a paradigm shift – one that recognizes and nurtures the invaluable perspectives and creative potential of children.
