Teeth cleaning in nursery

Pinkpepper79 · 2021-07-09T17:36:29+00:00

Does your child clean their teeth at nursery? As of September my child's nursery is going to be cleaning their teeth. Surely that is my responsibility as a parent. Teeth cleaning is a little activity I like to do an make it fun. I don't want a paid member of staff taking on that role. There is no opt out option. New government guidelines or something

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sherrystrull · 09/07/2021 18:38

I wonder if they are having major issues with many children not cleaning their teeth so are trying to support families.

PotteringAlong · 09/07/2021 18:40

You don’t have to stop doing it with them! They can just do it at nursery too. This really is a non-issue.

MrsSugar · 09/07/2021 18:44

This is a non issue. You can carry on as normal with ur teeth cleaning at home. The sad fact is there will be children out there who don’t get this care at home and that is who will benefit most from this

Cotswoldmama · 09/07/2021 18:52

My son's nursery used to do this. Obviously you still do them at home! I think it's great!

BeagleMomma · 09/07/2021 18:56

I'm an early years teacher - there are new statutory guidelines coming in from September. Basically the whole early years curriculum is being reformed, part of the requirements from September is that we teacher children about dental health along with general body health and healthy choices.

Cleaning teeth in Nurseries and Reception is going to become quite common

It's not necessary that we clean the children's teeth but many just will to help tick that box.

modgepodge · 09/07/2021 19:13

I feel like if you refuse to consent to them cleaning your child’s teeth, they probably won’t do it. I suppose they might ask you to leave the nursery if it’s their policy, but that seems unlikely.

I do think it’s a non issue. An extra teeth clean a day will do no harm!

Tumbleweed101 · 09/07/2021 23:53

As PP said, it's the new statutory guidelines probably fuelling this.

rantymcrantface66 · 10/07/2021 00:06

I'm in Scotland and dd was cleaning her teeth in nursery aged 2 and in the first year of primary too. Nursery aren't cleaning them for them they will be cleaning their own teeth (therefore will be no real substitute for teeth cleaning by parents at home) but is an extra go and bonus for those that do clean them at home and for those who never do, it's better than nothing. It's really a win win for everyone and can't think why you'd have a problem with it

MissM2912 · 10/07/2021 00:22

What a silly and selfish thing to get annoyed about. This isn’t about your child alone but the greater good. Wise up

Ijustreallywantacat · 10/07/2021 00:24

Yeah cannot understand fuss at all. It won't harm them, and could benefit others.

PRabbit · 10/07/2021 00:34

I’d be happy for them to let my DC clean their own teeth. I wouldn’t be happy for them to physically do it themselves. I find it intrusive and overstepping. My DC don’t even like me brushing their teeth, they would be totally traumatised by some random trying to shove a brush in their mouth. Also someone with poor technique can brush too hard and cause damage.

sherrystrull · 10/07/2021 07:11

@PRabbit

I’d be happy for them to let my DC clean their own teeth. I wouldn’t be happy for them to physically do it themselves. I find it intrusive and overstepping. My DC don’t even like me brushing their teeth, they would be totally traumatised by some random trying to shove a brush in their mouth. Also someone with poor technique can brush too hard and cause damage.

Your child's key worker wouldn't be 'some random' and they wouldn't be shoving the toothbrush. A childcare professional would receive training and support the children to clean their own teeth.

Dogbiteboy · 10/07/2021 07:18

I teach nursery and we used to do teeth cleaning (pre-Covid). The children were all
given a toothbrush and a piece of paper towel with toothpaste on. We put the brush bus song on and they brushed their teeth themselves with encouragement from us. There were very strict hygiene rules about where the brushes were stored, how they were cleaned etc.

Eviethyme · 10/07/2021 07:26

I think it's a good idea, ALOT of parents don't teach kids to brush teeth

User5827372728 · 10/07/2021 07:33

Good, I know 3 under 3s with fillings!

LouLou198 · 10/07/2021 07:52

My eldest is 10 and she was in nursery from being 10 months old and they did it back then, so nothing new. I think it is a good idea to help get children into the habit of it.

jannier · 10/07/2021 08:00

The new guidence is not for any setting to clean teeth it is to promote dental health by teaching it and encourage dental visits, understanding the need for oral hygiene. The current dental advice is to brush twice a day first thing in the morning before eating to remove overnight build up and last thing at night always 20 minutes after eating or drinking anything other than water. If this isn't being encouraged the box won't get ticked just by brushing teeth at other times....along with encouraging dental visits of course. Looks like some training is required.

rantymcrantface66 · 10/07/2021 08:20

@jannier

The new guidence is not for any setting to clean teeth it is to promote dental health by teaching it and encourage dental visits, understanding the need for oral hygiene. The current dental advice is to brush twice a day first thing in the morning before eating to remove overnight build up and last thing at night always 20 minutes after eating or drinking anything other than water. If this isn't being encouraged the box won't get ticked just by brushing teeth at other times....along with encouraging dental visits of course. Looks like some training is required.

How on earth do you know training is required and they aren't going to be teaching that? That's a huge assumption to make with the given information, that OP already seems unclear of (ie they won't be brushing their teeth for them dc will be brushing their own teeth) As I said previously DC round here have been brushing their teeth for years in nursery and primary 1. There's a song that teaches them how to brush, the strokes and the length time to do it for - hopefully that transfers home occasionally for those who need it.

Original poster

Pinkpepper79 · 10/07/2021 10:03

What if nursey provide the wrong tooth brush and tooth paste that DC doesn't like? Surely storing them will be an issue the amount of germs in nursery is massive they are putting those germs directly into their mouth. Then the toothpaste does each child get their own to prevent cross contamination. Why are parents not being made to take responsibility for their child's dental hygiene? Making legislation around adding sugar to cooked meats would be a better way forwards. Feeling rather grumpy about this to be honest

OP posts:

PotteringAlong · 10/07/2021 10:13

Cross contamination of toothpaste

My children would eat mud! My youngest it still at nursery and would probably still eat stuff off the floor given half the chance. Off all the stuff that might go into their mouth at nursery I don’t think the wrong toothpaste is an issue

Noterook · 10/07/2021 10:16

Schools and nurseries seem to be taking on more and more of basic parental responsibility tasks, won't be long until they're getting them dressed in the morning. It won't harm to do teeth again during the day, but I would keep the routine at home as a priority so it's consistent when they aren't at nursery.

Waitwhat23 · 10/07/2021 10:18

We do toothbrushing where I work and just to clarify -

in Scotland, the scheme itself is run by Childsmile, who come into settings to check that everything is being done according to their guidelines, to do talks, do enamel coating etc. The early years staff take advice and training from them.
the children brush their own teeth with encouragement from their key worker. There's a song to encourage them to brush all the different surfaces of their teeth and to do it for the right amount of time.
Toothbrushes are stored, cleaned and replaced under very strict rules. Any issues with any of these means that the toothbrushes are immediately thrown away and replaced. Each child has a individual symbol on their toothbrush (usually an animal) which means it's identifiable as only their toothbrush.
blobs of toothpaste are squeezed out onto individual pieces of kitchen roll which the children then smear onto their toothbrush. The toothpaste tube doesn't go anywhere near the toothbrushes.
the toothbrush and toothpaste are the same ones as given out by the Health Visitor. Some parents are against the use of fluoride so opt their children out from its use - those children generally just brush with a wet toothbrush.

NavigationCentral · 10/07/2021 10:18

I have a 16 month old at nursery. I also have a former nursery child now in reception. I cannot begin to understand the OP’s problem. I mean - in what universe is THIS an issue.

NavigationCentral · 10/07/2021 10:19

Oh my god just read the update about cross contamination of toothpaste. I can’t even begin with that one! 🤣

MerryMarigold · 10/07/2021 10:20

I used to work in a nursery where we cleaned teeth. Each child had a labeled cup with own brush and toothpaste (also labelled) provided by parents. Why don't you ask the nursery how it will work rather than getting your knickers in a twist. Also, removing sugar from cooked meats is really not going to help a child who has squash in a bottle at the age of 3. Yes, it is about education of parents but in the meantime, whatever can be done to help the child should be done.