Nurseries to supervise children brushing teeth.

[AnyoneForTardis]

sorry if this has been discussed, cant find a thread anywhere about it.

heard on news this morn.

children with bad oral hygiene, so nurseries are being asked to have some sort of teeth brushing lessons type thing.

Is this the nanny state again releieving yet more responsibility for the people (parents) who are supposed to be doing this?

why nurseries?

its basic logic and common sense for a parent to teach/help their young'un to clean their teeth, isn't it?

I also feel there's a danger of people becoming reliant on others to take over their kids basic care. Abilities to budget or manage time or account for all their children's needs will become harder and harder the more things are taken over by external agencies

How many times a day do you clean children's teeth whether at nursery or not? Once in the morning and once at night here. I can't get paranoid about cleaning after every sugary mouthful, there's not enough hours in the day.

Or we might be teaching the next generation skills that their parents were never taught by their parents and in that way ensuring that when they have children, they pass these skills on to them instead of creating another generation without them?

Or just teaching them not to bother cos school/nursery/next door/Mrs Jones from the tesco express will do it

Possibly, but I'm more hopeful than that.

We're in Manchester and I had to sign a consent form when DS started nursery to say I agreed with them helping to brush his teeth after lunch. The NHS supply the toothpaste and new toothbrushes every 3 months. I thought it was a good idea personally.

They were doing it here when DS1 was in nursery, best part of a decade ago. It's not news.

I thought current thinking was that it is better to brush before meals as food reduces the pH in the mouth so softens the tooth leaving at risk of damage if brushed. My children brush their teeth before breakfast then have a quick rinse with water after, I do the same but follow it with half an hour chewing a sugar free gum. We then brush again after school and then again before bed (three times a day is recommend by our dentist as the water has no fluoride here.

I wouldn't be happy if a nursery or school had my children brush their teeth after eating.

Standard in other countries, I'd love to see children brushing their teeth after lunch in school, too.

In our preschool lunch hour, 2 staff with 16 children have to:

Supervise the children eating, open drinks/packets etc, and try to ensure all children eat at least something.

Supervise the fast eaters who have left the table to play at the other end of the room.

Wash up the plates and cutlery used.

Sweep the floor and mop spills. Pack up the lunch boxes, which are mostly not named to help us out.

Supervise children in the toilet, change any who have had an accident, change nappies of those in nappies.

Answer the door.

Answer the phone.

Meet and greet parents/carers, answer questions about the child's day, give any messages, accident forms, medicine forms etc.

Write receipts for any payments made. Finish off any paperwork that has to go home with the child.

I don't know how anyone can do any more.
When do staff fit in teeth cleaning? Please tell me how you manage, if you do this?

Another one saying it is a fabulous idea, though I'm in Scotland where it happens anyway. The idea is to break the cycle of dental neglect by teaching the kids the importance of good oral hygiene. Yes, lots of parents are diligent about looking after their kids teeth, but plenty aren't, either through laziness or ignorance. That's not the kids' fault, yet they're the ones who suffer. The childsmile programme here has made a huge difference and is changing attitudes and improving oral health.

Marci exactly, exactly what we did when I worked in nurseries.

I am in gtr Manchester and likewise children take their toothbrush to nursery. I know this as parents and children have told me.
I don't think its a failure on the part of parents, they can't brush their childs teeth if they aren't with them at the time.
I think a full day is too long to go without brushing teeth.
They should encourage it at school as well.

The news report I read wanted school to do it to.

There is not the time! Unless we need to extend the school day?

Perhaps do breakfast at 7am, exercise and then teeth cleaning. Maybe read with them and shower, too? Do their hair?

Tbh, That's probably exactly where things are heading!

I think it's a good idea, yes the parents should do it, but are we supposed to let the kids suffer because they don't?
I'm only.concerned nursery age might. be a bit young for inepedant brush as the dexterity isnt tjhere

When my DC1 (now nearly 10) was in (day) nursery they asked for a toothbrush and toothpaste so that the children could brush their teeth during the day -- but then after a while (a year or so?) we were told that they couldn't do that any more because apparently Ofsted had said that having all those toothbrushes hanging around was a health and safety risk. So they couldn't brush teeth at nursery any more. Interesting if it's come full circle again.

They teach children to wash their hands at nursery -- all the nurseries my three have ever been to have signs up with pictures of how to do it and everything. Is that "the nanny state" or is it only teeth that concern you?

I think it's a great idea.

On the days my kids go to nursery, they leave home at 6.40am and have breakfast at nursery. Brushing their teeth at 6.30am is half hearted at best, and I'd love it if nursery would do it after their breakfast.

At home, we brush after breakfast, but at the moment thy isn't reinforced at nursery. The habit would stick better if nursery could/would do this :)

I think it's a good idea, yes the parents should do it, but are we supposed to let the kids suffer because they don't?

Or maybe they could just cut the crap about being so worried about upsetting or offending people that instead of just pulling the parents up on their neglectful child raising national initiatives are brought out that places have little time or money or staff for?

Fast forward a few years-we'll see tv adverts with lawyers asking people to give them a call if they think their child has fillings caused by inefficient brushing technique caused by the school....

Parents have got to take responsibility.

They did this at my nursery thirty years ago,

I used to work in a nursery where we had the children brush their teeth after lunch and also did interactive sessions about teeth brushing. It was only when DS started his nursery (not the one I worked in) and received a face to me saying about needing to bring in a toothbrush did I realise this wasn't common practice!

Yes giles they should, but they won't.

My dd's nursery has teeth brushing after lunch. They cope!

As ever with these policies, people just think of them selves i.e. "I'm alright" without thinking more widely about why the idea has been suggested. It isn't to cause hassle, it is to improve the dental hygiene of other children.

Shit, are you supposed to brush your teeth after lunch?

I have never done this - except after a smelly lunch! Is this a normal thing? I don't think I've known anyone brush their teeth more than twice a day.

This isn't just nurseries-it's schools too.