Run as a partnership with Colgate, and named ‘Souths Cares’, the project was spearhead at Central Coast schools by NRL stars Tyrell Fuimaono and Roy Asatasi, who aimed to teach children how to care for their teeth.

They also focused on mastering healthy oral care habits.

It’s an important subject for school-aged children to understand, Dr Susan Cartwright explained, and better understood coming from sporting stars.

“It’s clear Aussie kids need help tackling the high rate of dental disease,” Dr Cartwright, who is also a dentist and Colgate’s Scientific Affairs Manager, said.

“Although people may brush off tooth decay as a part of life, it is really a disease that’s far too common in Aussie kids, and it is largely preventable by being diligent with basic oral care.

“[These include] twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, keeping sugar intake to a minimum and visiting your dental professional every six months.”

The push by the NRL club comes after Australia’s Oral Health tracker results were released. The research revealed children’s dental health in the country has been suffering.

It also revealed more than seven in ten children between 9-13 years of age consume too much sugar, and one-third of five and six-year-olds have decay in their new-grown baby teeth.