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Original poster

Childminder's Club: Toothbrushes??

32 replies

Katymac · 18/05/2006 20:06

A couple of mums have asked me to start cleaning teeth after meals and while I'm fine agreeing to thier request I wondered if there were any issues....

a)How often? after all food incl snacks? (ie 5 times a day)
b)Can teeth be brushed too often?
c)I can't cope with the storage for 14 toothbrushes and separate toothpastes - so do I pick a tothpaste they all use or just brush with water?
d)How do I store 14 toothbrushes hygenically?
e)Assuming 3 mins a child - this is going to take 27mins to do all the children - is that realistic?

I am sure to have forgotten loads of other points you will remember/remind me

I am also assuming I will need the parents to sign a disclaimer saying that if their children get fillings it's not my faultWink

Any thoughts/advise/help on the subject??
tia
KMc

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Original poster
Katymac · 18/05/2006 22:14

I need the parents to understand that if the teeth don't get cleaned/don't get clean properly etc it isn't my fault and i won't be held responsible

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Original poster
Katymac · 18/05/2006 22:13

So after breakfast and after lunch

OK

I can't depend upon the parents bringing them - they won't

And I can't do some children and not others - so I need to get them all one for my house - which leaves the storage stuff and the time element

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ComeOVeneer · 18/05/2006 22:12

OH and the disclaimer thing I wouldn't bother with, wouldn't hold any water iyswim.

ComeOVeneer · 18/05/2006 22:11

As a dentist I would say that if the child has breakfast at your house then clean them afterwards. Likewise lunch (if the parent so desires but not strictly necessary), if they have their evening meal with you I wouldn't do them again as the best time would be just before bed incase they have a snack/juice/milk etc at home. I think it shoud be the parents responsibility to send child with toothbrush and paste in their bag rather than you store them. Brushing more than 3 times a day is not of any benefit. HTH

Original poster
Katymac · 18/05/2006 22:06

I like the idea - I am concerned about the practicalities

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jellyjelly · 18/05/2006 21:50

I meant to reply earlier.

  1. not that much teeth should be cleaned 3 times a day or the enamel can disappear/wear down. after the meal ie pudding has been eaten give a small piece of cheese to reduce the amount of acid in the mouth then 20 min later brush teeth before bed. 2)teeth can be brushed too much 3)not sure how you would store them, would have to be one toothpaste for all as the flouride in them helps not just water.

Guess you would need to do disclaimer for the fillings etc

Have you heard of the campaign called stop the rot? If you havent do a search and look at the info there. Am thinking about doing it for myself.

Original poster
Katymac · 18/05/2006 21:43

No thoughts at all...you mean I'm going to have to make a decision for myself....I'm not sure I can

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