Work Matters: Practical Management - Caring for teeth
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
More and more nurseries are making dental care for children a policy alongside healthy eating and hygiene, says Sue Learner.
By implementing effective teeth cleaning regimes, nurseries have an important role to play in boosting young children's dental health and supporting their home routines.
Dental decay is now one of the most common childhood diseases, with more than 40 per cent of UK children experiencing decay in baby teeth by the age of five. A £2.9m investigation is about to be carried out by Dundee University on behalf of the National Institute for Health Research to focus on the best strategies to tackle the problem (News, 4 June).
Many nurseries are still participating in the Stop the Rot campaign, initiated by dentist Graham Wilding four years ago. This encourages them to focus on healthy eating, reduce sweets and ensure children regularly brush their teeth.
The Old Station Nursery in Brayford Pool, Lincoln, signed up to these three pledges over a year ago. Manager Kellie Loughlin says, 'When children join the nursery, parents are asked if they would like to take part in the initiative. We ask them about their home routines and find ways to support them. These days, most parents seem to be aware of the importance of baby teeth, and the necessity for them to last as long as possible.'
Ms Loughlin reports that some parents prefer to bring in a toothbrush and toothpaste every day, while others find it easier if they are kept in the nursery.
'Those kept at nursery are clearly labelled and kept in a pot in a cupboard in the children's bathroom,' she says. 'Teeth brushing sessions take place once at mid-morning and again after lunch.
'We follow the Stop the Rot guidelines which say you are meant to wait for a while after children eat before brushing, to avoid damage of the enamel. Electric toothbrushes are recognised as being particularly good, and the children are fascinated by these.'
The 44-place nursery produces its own meals, ensuring that a healthy quota of fruit and vegetables is included. It doesn't provide any sweet or fizzy drinks, only milk and water.
'We have taken advice from a nutritionist when devising our menus and give children a meat or vegetarian option,' Ms Loughlin says. 'We also provide a healthy snack mid-morning and we have had a dental hygienist visit to talk about the importance of oral healthcare.'
The nursery recently took part in the 'Healthy Body, Happy Me' week run by the National Day Nurseries Association, and had a special week of healthy eating and exercises.
Ms Loughlin says, 'Most importantly, our everyday routines are all about educating children on the importance of caring for their own bodies - and dental care is an important part of this. If they start looking after their teeth when they are really young, hopefully they will carry on doing it throughout their lives.'