To think schools could do dental checks?

[cheminotte]

Just reading that poor dental health is linked to poverty and how many families struggle to find an NHS dentist.
Also read an article earlier this year about a boy in America who died of teeth decay as the infection spread. And recently heard that tooth decay is linked to heart disease.
Could schools do a dental check in reception like they do an eyesight and hearing test?

Many schools in Wales are currently signed up to a toothcare programme designed to prevent issues of tooth decay - including dental checks at certain points, toothbrushing in school and toothbrushes / toothpaste provided to pupils. I think it's a great idea.

I agree OP, they seem to be quite keen on monitoring other aspects of health at school but sadly dental care is lacking.

We get dental checks at school in Scotland.

Yes Wales do this. Its good. But mine go to the dentist regular.

Sure. Which service would you like to cut, or which tax would you raise, to provide it?

The School Dentist still strikes fear into the hearts of many of a certain age.
But yes, I see your point.

Scotland has child smile it starts in preschool and other organisations like playgroups can have them come inas well. Dentist will take on children quite happily ime.

School dentist

Our schools don’t have the money for new initiatives like this. They’re functioning on an absolute shoestring as it is.

We had them when I was in primary school. I think it's a good idea

I'm sure I remember seeing a dentist at primary school back in the early 90s.

You've actually just reminded me I got a reminder to book a check up so thanks for that.

Just had the permission form in for fluoride varnishing at school. There is also a tick box for if you need help finding a dentist. Childsmile is a great initiative but I guess it might just be in Scotland?

But it isn't the school paying for it is community dental service

You think the government are going to use your taxes to pay for school dental check ups when they have wars to pay for and banker friends to bail out? Ludicrous

Great idea but where would the money come from? There are schools which don't have enough money for textbooks at the moment, and classes where teachers are spending their own money to keep the kids in craft supplies, pencils etc.

I'd also worry about the amount that is being put on to schools. We seem to be expecting an increasing amount from teachers these days - child welfare and safeguarding, terrorism prevention, cyber bullying...and amongst all of this their are supposed to provide an education to the kids as well. Where does parental responsibility kick in?

Not a criticism - I do think it's a good idea. But I find it quite alarming that schools are literally acting in loco parentis more and more. It's no wonder we have a teaching crisis.

*they are

Mine has seen a dentist at school every year, english primary school.

Oh God don't remind me. Started school in 1995, until 2003 there were checks. Secondary there was a permanent dentist on site for emergencies and appointments. Initially an old man and a woman who made you sit on a seat in the staffroom whilst all classmates watched and they counted your teeth. My classmates used to scream hysterically every time they came, her mum had to come in. Similar to injections where you'd get a fainter.

I'm assuming the school don't pay for the sight or hearing tests? Surely they just provide the venue?
My sons long sightedness wouldn't have been picked up without that check in reception.

They used to. Don't know when they stopped

Another thing people want schools to do instead of parents!

Why don't we just take all children into a full-time boarding school aged 4 since it seems so many parents can't be fucked to look after their children appropriately?

In my area only children in special schools get dental checks. So my ds does, my dd doesn't. I suspect it comes down to NHS budgets not school budgets.

We used to have all sorts in the 70s, dental checks, checks for colour blindness , nit nurse lady, weight and height checks. hearing tests and i went to a state rough as you like school in the east end! maybe we were just lucky - i cant remember my two having much done like this, i needed to take them to the GP if i were worried about anything ( or the pharmacy) and sort it out myself.

They don’t have dental checks but at my son’s school they have an nhs scheme where they brush their teeth in school after lunch.