Dental health joins the premier league

Dental and oral hygiene instruction forms part of a new programme being launched this week to give 30 men in Dublin’s north inner city the chance to experience how small lifestyle changes can make a big difference.

The inspiration for this new initiative is the Wellman Programme developed by Glasgow Celtic for men aged 40 to 60. Glasgow Celtic has used the appeal of football to engage men in a highly successful programme on health and wellbeing.

The programme planned for Dublin’s north inner city will now benefit from this expertise, as Glasgow Celtic is a partner alongside the Health Service Executive, Pfizer Healthcare Irl. and the Larkin Centre.

Celtic Football Club, with its proud Irish links, is, in the words of its representative, Michael O’Halloran: ‘Delighted to support the health and wellbeing programme in association with the Larkin Centre, Pfizer Healthcare and the Health Service Executive.

‘This programme aims to instigate a positive lifestyle change in males living in Dublin’s north inner city and we look forward to playing our part in making this happen.’

The HSE, through the network of health and social care services, responded positively to the invitation to partake in this programme. The HSE’s input will include topics ranging from management of blood pressure and cholesterol, nutrition and weight management, back care education, positive mental health, sexual health information including testicular/ prostrate cancer, drug awareness and prevention information, dental and oral hygiene, to how to access local health services.

Pfizer Healthcare Ireland’s health and wellness team will carry out the initial health screening of participants and measure their progress over the 10 weeks of the programme.

The IFSC Dublin Inner City Trust is also lending its support to this initiative and has donated €5,000 towards the running costs of the programme.