"Some six year olds have never seen a toothbrush"

[SuperGinger]

Just saw an article on the BBC website about this, very sad you need your teeth for the rest of your life and we are failing our children.

Why aren't they investing in children we are storing up so many problems for the future? Especially with poor diets many children have.

Dentistry is on its knees in this country. While I brush my 19 month olds teeth daily, she doesn’t have a dentist. No NHS dentists are taking on round here and I can’t afford private. I suppose that’s neglectful but if I can’t monthly fees and then treatment on top privately I’m not sure what I’m supposed to go. I feel sick with anxiety every time I brush her teeth.

Are you keeping on reporting this to SS and or their school?

Four children's toothbrushes for £1 at Tesco. Toothpaste 50p.

I babysat for a 4 year old a few weeks ago. She had chocolate around her mouth when I arrived at bed time. I asked mum about teeth brushing and was told it wasn’t required……….

I agree teaching it is a reasonable part of the school curriculum and the HV to cover the shortage of dentists is a great idea. I never understood why school nurses have been practically abolished here. Always getting letters saying "someone near you as nits, but obviously we don't touch your kids so we're not saying who".

It's the giving out a constant supply of tooth brushes and toothpaste to families who can well afford it and are otherwise competent that seems bizarre. In poorer areas or targeted at families perhaps a better use of resources?

Asda essential toothpaste 50p and 50p for pack of essential toothbrush what is wrong with people, basic hygiene don't have to necessarily be rolling in it to be able to brush kids teeth!

If you haven't reported this to SS, you're part of the problem.

Children like these need the adults who know about their situation to intervene.

Are you reporting this to social services?

A friend works in a food bank, she says they are often desperate for toiletries. I buy toothbrushes , toothpaste, bar soap ( easier than a gel if you are washing from a sink rather than a shower or bath), deodorant, moisturiser, etc for the donation box in the supermarket rather than beans and cornflakes.

My friend is a childrens dentist. She has removed all the teeth from a two year old before now
under anaesthetic obviously
this isn’t unusual in some areas

there’s a movement among some corners of the dental profession to introduce laws to prosecute parents who allow their child to get that much decay - 100% avoidable .

DS attends an STF in Wales and he mentioned that his class have time set aside every day to brush their teeth in school. I was shocked. Similarly at his latest dentist check up with a new dentist he got the whole spiel about snacking and teeth brushing despite having had regular check ups since his first teeth started coming though and no problems with his dental hygiene (orthodontic needs definitely on the way though!) Its a huge issue and I’ve been particularly careful with my own teeth since working in an NHS trust in my twenties and learning about the causal link with cardiovascular health.

Do they not get toothbrush kits at nursery & school in England? Happens in Scotland , free stuff sent home with kids. Also do toothbrush in all schools & nurseries with kids daily. Many childminders also do for younger ones.

Maybe we also need flouride in the water like they have in Australia to assist

Agree with the above. No reason at all for these kids not having their teeth brushed. My 3yo sometimes used to refuse and has never liked it - but I would just pin him down. He can tell me that sugar can make holes in your teeth.

I couldn’t get him into a dentist until 2yo so was even more careful

@SleepingStandingUp @Fluffodils @LookingOldTheseDays
Social services have been involved forever, I think she's been very lucky, and I guess the fact she doesn't hurt them, they're neglected for sure but not abused, and that there's 7 of them and removing them would be a massive undertaking is why she's managed to keep them tbh. I remember when we were kids visiting her house, and there being cat shit on the floor, obviously her mums responsibility at the time. It's a shame, they're a nice person, they just don't know how to be an adult.

I chase my 10 year old round to make sure her teeth are done. This is not the government’s job - it’s the parents job.

Even assuming there are parents out there who have somehow missed the message that brushing teeth means they stay in one’s head, the max the government should have input here is to tell schools to run an assembly on the topic once a year as a public service announcement.

every school round here has visits by dentists to talk about teeth brushing. It’s been that way for over 30 years.

Three separate problems here.
1: neglectful parents
2: poor diet
3: The breakdown of NHS dentistry

Mind you would the parents who can’t be bothered to brush their kids teeth take them to the dentist anyway? 🤷‍♀️

I must say though, I see a lot of parents on here constantly defend kids eating sweets and junk every day, insisting it’s just a normal part of childhood. And that any attempt to restrict junk food will give the child an eating disorder!!

I thought we already have

I thought we did, but just checked and it seems only certain areas do and it is down to the local authority.

You’re not neglecting her - you brush them. The lack of dentists is one thing, but A child who has their teeth cleaned may at least not actually need to visit the dentist because you’re taking the right steps (clearly everyone should grab an nhs spot if they ever can though).

Ludicrous. You can get a toothbrush for as little as 50p and a good size tube of toothpaste for £1 at Boots or even the pound shop. Yes people are struggling but neglecting to get basic stuff like this every few months is indefensible.

Unfortunately there are a great many neglected children slipping through the cracks in this country.

And the numbers are rising.

This is just so so fucking sad isn't it?
Something about hearing a 6 year old hasn't got a toothbrush makes my skin crawl. I have a ND child and my god, until it became routine for him to brush his teeth, he was extremely distressed. 💔

I know a mother who's child drinks monster energy drinks and who doesnt own a toothbrush.
He came to a party of my nephew and he was a lovely little lad, mum very disinterested in him. I made a fuss of him and gave him some cake, never felt a bigger arsehole in my life. The little fella started crying because the icing hurt his teeth, he showed me and they were riddled with big old holes. Big lad teeth too, not baby ones.
I offered the mum in a gaslighting way of trying to take the blame for him hurting his tooth so I didn't upset her, to run to the shop to pick him up some sensodyne (sorry unsure of spelling) and she told me he would kick off it given a toothbrush and cry and it was "his own fucking fault".
The child is NT, just badly neglected.

I understand kids in poverty, lower social economic communities or being raised by parents with difficulties can slip under the radar and I believe these kids need their hygiene to be supported and help to access toothbrushes or sanitary wear etc without feeling embarrassed.

When it's just a lazy dickhead who'd rather blame their kids for shit like not brushing their teeth, i find it hard to be as understanding.

(Also the little lad has SS involvement, my sister hands down nephews clothes etc to her, but still very limited as to how else she can help. If anyone has a suggestion please tag or PM me! Cheers!)

@vitahelp interesting. York currently doesn't!

I'm now really depressed after reading this