At Cap-a-Pie, we’re all about sparking creativity and learning through fun, shared experiences. Our latest project, in partnership with Newcastle Dental Hospital, the School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University, is bringing the science of dental health to life for Key Stage 2 students at Hotspur Primary School. This hands-on workshop is helping children learn all about teeth in a way that’s engaging, creative and most importantly – fun! With the help of Newcastle’s top dental experts, they’ve taken part in theatre activities, moral dilemmas and creative activities to learn about teeth.
The children at Hotspur Primary School have been getting stuck into the world of teeth, from the science behind plaque and saliva to the impact sugar has on their dental health and how AI might be used in dental care in the future. Dentists at Newcastle University are currently researching how new apps, that allow users to scan their own teeth and use AI to detect tooth decay, could be used in primary schools. The children explored what they thought about using AI in healthcare, and how they felt about technology playing a bigger role in looking after our health.
“Children are like sponges, they absorb everything,” said Dr Helen Rogers. “It’s at this age that you really have the chance to set them up with lifelong habits around looking after their teeth.”
Dr Richard Holliday agreed: “It’s about laying those healthy foundations early. That’s what will make a difference later in life.”
As Gareth Lord, a teacher at Hotspur Primary School, said, “The students were really engaged by the drama-based activities where they explored dental care through role-play. It made the topic feel more real and fun for them.”
We’ve had some fantastic feedback from the students, and it’s clear that the interactive nature of the project made it a hit. “I liked it when the dentists came in” said one student, and another added, “It was fun learning new things about teeth!”
The role-playing activities like the freeze frames, where students had to act out scenes related to dental health, were very popular. “Freeze frames were really fun, and it was great working together,” said a student. The creative activities brought the subject to life and helped them understand how important looking after their teeth is.
The dentists were also impressed by how much the students already knew – but what stood out most was how creative methods gave them a deeper understanding of dental health.
“The children had a really good level of knowledge already – they could name the teeth and clearly had some great teaching before,” said Helen. “But this project helped them think in different ways, about who’s responsible for their oral health, about technology, and about how they feel about these things.”
“You get so much more from children when they can work in teams, plan their responses and properly engage with the ideas,” Helen added. “It’s very different from just asking them a question or giving them a lecture.”
One of the great things about this project has been the way it’s boosted the students’ confidence. Gareth shared how some students who were initially nervous about speaking in front of others gained confidence as the workshop progressed. “The activities gradually helped the students build their confidence, and by the end, they were presenting and sharing their thoughts in front of each other.”
Teamwork was another key focus. Students worked together in small groups, solving problems and sharing ideas. Gareth mentioned that this collaboration was a standout feature of the project. “The students worked really well as a team. The project challenged them to think critically about the topic, whether that was analysing the potential impact of actions or evaluating different perspectives.”
The dentists saw this too – how students grew in confidence, not just in what they knew, but in sharing ideas and working together.
“They were so engaged, really enthusiastic,” said Helen. “I think the fact that the activities were practical and interactive helped so much. It’s a much richer experience, and it helps you hear what children actually think, not just off-the-cuff comments, but ideas they’ve thought through and discussed with each other.”
Based on how well the project has gone at Hotspur Primary we’re excited about the possibility of bringing this project to more schools and helping even more children learn about dental health in a fun and interactive way.
“At Cap-a-Pie, we believe creativity can help children make sense of big topics like health and wellbeing,” said Artistic Director Brad McCormick. “By using theatre, storytelling and imagination, we’re not just helping students learn, we’re helping them connect, explore and grow.”
