Student wants to design app to prevent tooth decay in children

An app that can help prevent tooth decay in children – with that idea Nynke Tjeerdsma won the Hokwerda Award 2015. The Groningen Dentistry student was awarded the prize for sustainable oral care in early October at the KNMT student congress. KNMT is the professional association for dentists.

Tjeerdsma on her idea: ‘Caries is the most common, irreversible problem among children. The extent of the problem and the consequences for the child demand investment in prevention. Children at younger and younger ages are making more and more often use of electronic devices such as tablets and smartphones. That gave me the idea to develop a child-friendly app, which I’ve called “Jong Verstand” [Young Sense].’ Winning the Hokwerda Award has gained Tjeerdsma € 1,000 and support to help put her idea into practice.

Contact: Nynke Tjeerdsma can be contacted via the UMCG Communication Office, tel. 050 361 22 00

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