CHILDREN in Salford are being made to brush their teeth at school in a bid to tackle high levels of tooth decay.
Health bosses will spend 8,000 this financial year supplying toothpaste and brushes to children aged four in reception classes throughout the city.
In 2010/11, another £15,000 is earmarked for an awareness campaign. Each child is given a brush and they clean their teeth after lunch every day, supervised by teachers.
The scheme is being run in 52 reception classes and nurseries and is the only one of its kind in Greater Manchester.
There are striking differences in the state of children’s teeth in different parts of the city. More than half of all children in Salford have had decay by the age of five.
The measure used is the number of decayed, missing or filled teeth (dmtf). The average for the city is 2.5 dmtf, but it is as high as four in Little Hulton. Yet in Worsley and Boothstown it ranges from nothing to 1.5. The figures are from 2005/06, the most up to date available. Dr Brian Hope, medical director for NHS Salford, said: “This investment represents the latest move by NHS Salford to try to improve oral health. Earlier this year we announced 6,000 extra NHS dental spaces in response to people’s concerns and we hope parents will take this opportunity to further encourage their young children to regularly brush their teeth.
“Salford has poor levels of oral health across all age ranges. The main cause is excessive consumption of sugar in food and drink.”
Coun John Warmis-ham said: “It is the responsibility of parents to make sure children brush their teeth, but we believe getting children to do it at school will instill the habit and lead to better oral health.
“The idea, like the five a day drive with fruit and vegetables, is to catch them young.”
Professor Damien Walmsley, from the British Dental Association, said: “There has been a significant improvement in the nation’s overall health over the last 30 years, but we will still see a huge disparity related to social deprivation. It is unacceptable in 2009, such a wide gap should exist.”
Salford NHS and the council have set a target to reduce the prevalence of tooth decay in children under five from 53 per cent in 2005/06 to 47pc in 2010/11.
Other schemes being introduce are the supply of fluoridated milk to children and oral health teaching resource boxes for nurseries.
Drop-in sessions are also being staged at playgroups and baby clinics.
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Fluoridation is the action of the lowest common denomination.
It's a shame that schools are having to teach kids the things their parents should be teaching them before they even start school...
I can remember being in primary school (in Salford) in the 1970s and having visits from the dentist/dental nurse where we were given a toothbrush and toothpaste, having our teeth checked and getting instructions as to how to brush properly. I (wrongly obviously) assumed that this had been carried on. Then again, we had the nit nurse too and I've heard that's been discontinued.
The new toothbrushing techinique is now to brush before eating and not straight after - this causes less damage to the enamel on the teeth.
Need to correct when the children will brush - the new information for brushing teeth advises that we brush before eating and not straight after -less damage to the enamel caused by the brushing this way. Victorsj
Agree with andy totally....Flouridation = compliance isnt that right ?
people should look up the effects of increased Fluoride intake on the human body before agreeing to this, Im all for children brushing their teeth, but the public must be informed regarding every aspect
of this venture and make an informed decision....
The public need to have an informed choice when it comes to increasing fluoride intake as it does have an effect on the human body. Im all for children brushing their teeth, however all factors must be taken into consideration....
@ patricia adams ...
I doubt there is likely to be any real public consultation process. Even if there is public consultation, there's so little understanding of fundamental scientific principles that most people would be confused, disengaged, etc.
Nevermind the fact that authorities disregard consultation (either public or expert) and just do what's in their best interests (personal reward; cost-based decisions). Cynical? Perhaps.
is this the Patricia Adams show
@ Knowall, stretford end ...
I don't know but for some reason my response to Patricia Adams has only been displayed on the Salford Advertiser site, and not the M.E.N. So for completeness...
"@ patricia adams ...
I doubt there is likely to be any real public consultation process. Even if there is public consultation, there's so little understanding of fundamental scientific principles that most people would be confused, disengaged, etc.
Nevermind the fact that authorities disregard consultation (either public or expert) and just do what's in their best interests (personal reward; cost-based decisions). Cynical? Perhaps.
andy waytomakeacomment, Greater Manchester
31/12/2009 at 11:05"