Brush Up

Brush Up have been awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Lifelong Health and Wellbeing Newcastle University Award 2024.

The Newcastle University Awards recognises students achievements and contribution to university life and the wider community.

Brush Up is a student-led volunteering group. Dental students go out to the public to teach communities about the importance of brushing and good oral hygiene. This year they’ve made it their mission to go above and beyond their usual scope. They have reached out to asylum seekers, mother and toddler groups and people with disabilities on top of the work with children they do every year.  

Over 1000 people have benefited from their expansion and student volunteers had a valuable opportunity to interact with different groups in society. They have gained practical experience with patients before starting their clinical years in the dental hospital.

Accessibility to healthcare is a hot topic. These students saw a service they could provide to benefit their local community and did not hesitate to step up. The groups Brush Up works with can be very vulnerable and underserved groups. Brush Up shows respect and care which goes beyond the dental impact. 

Watch below as Professor Chris Vernazza announces the winner of the award.