UK - NURSES SENT IN TO STOP THE ROT

NURSES SENT IN TO STOP THE ROT
BY CATHY BUSS
HEALTH CORRESPONDENT

10:30 - 14 April 2007
Nurses could be sent into schools to teach youngsters to clean their teeth after it emerged up to half of all five-year-olds across Leicestershire have tooth decay.
Experts say about 4,600 young children across the county have dental problems - and most are being caused by eating fast food, sweets and fizzy drinks.
Health bosses say the numbers of children affected are rising each year and the only way to tackle the situation is to change children's diets and teach them to clean their teeth properly.
Dr Carol Mander, consultant in dental public health across Leicester, said: "Teeth are so important."Decay is preventable and we need to make sure parents know to use a fluoride toothpaste and have good information to make the right choices on their children's sugar intake."It is vital children have regular dental check-ups.
"We are working with schools and health visitors to make sure this information is out there."Another idea we are looking at is going into nursery and primary schools and teaching children how to clean their teeth properly."
In Leicester, there are 4,000 five-year olds. A survey showed half of them had needed dental treatment for two rotten, missing or filled teeth in the past year alone. In the county more than 2,630 were treated - 36 per cent.
In one case, city dentist Chris Lucas treated a two-year-old where every tooth was decayed or needed fillings.He said: "I have seen a massive increase in the amount of tooth decay in children in the last seven years.
"We know decay can, in some instances, be halted or even reversed and so put a lot into educating people about oral hygiene."
Unless caught early, decay can store up a host of future problems.In older children, a build up plaque can even lead to teeth being eroded away.It is a message Blaby youngster Tarun Sharma, 11, wishes he had heard earlier.
He has faced three years of intensive dental treatment for a series of fillings to halt decay."I didn't realise how bad sweets were and never bothered much with brushing. But then I started getting all sorts of swelling in my mouth where there was infection and it really hurt.
"I really wish I had looked after my teeth," he said.Tarun limits himself to sweets and fizzy drinks once a week and spends two minutes every morning and evening brushing his teeth.His dentist, Shrikesh Kotecha, had to fill or take out half of Tarun's 20 milk teeth, but after years of intensive treatment he believes the youngster's second teeth are in good shape.
He said: "Seeing teeth like Tarun's is not uncommon and I am glad we have been able to turn his situation around."We are one of the few practices which has someone specialising in teaching patients about oral hygiene which is key to good teeth."
To prevent tooth decay, experts recommend brushing teeth for two minutes morning and night, using a fluoride toothpaste, avoiding giving babies sweet drinks in bottles, and avoiding sweets, fizzy drinks and other high-sugar products.
Health experts said the problems were down to education and not poor access to dental services for children.
Dr Mander said: "Dentists have the capacity to treat children and the treatment is free."