SUN - TIME TO TACKLE TOOTH TROUBLE

TIME TO TACKLE TOOTH TROUBLE Teachers told to help pupils brush their teeth every morning at school as parents are failing to to do it at home
50,000 kids a year are treated in UK hospitals for dental problems, with almost a quarter of five-year-olds having obvious tooth decay.

TEACHERS are being urged to help kids brush their teeth when they arrive at school because they are not doing it properly at home.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence says pupils should be “told about the importance of looking after their teeth” and “helped to do this” In many cases parents fail to ensure their kids brush daily, with some children not even owning a toothbrush.

Figures from the 2015 Public Health England dental survey show that almost a quarter of five-year-olds in England have obvious tooth decay.

The average number of decayed, missing or filled teeth in these children at age five was 3.41.

Professor Gillian Leng, deputy chief executive of Nice, said: “This quality standard calls on local authorities to identify areas where children and young people are at risk of poor oral health and target services like supervised tooth brushing schemes to schools in those areas.

“Good oral health is vital throughout our lives and we’re confident this quality standard will help focus attention on maintaining a healthy mouth.”

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