During the revision of the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage), oral health was specifically included in a way it had not previously been. This is something we were really pleased to see added as a focus.

 

In the most recent reports statics show that 'almost a quarter of five year olds and 12% of three year olds had tooth decay. It also states 'poor oral health can affect children and young people’s ability to sleep, eat, speak, play and socialise with other children'. NHS reported that in 2018/2019 hospital trusts spent £41.5 million on the extraction of teeth for under 18s'. Yet tooth decay is largely preventable.


We hope with your support at home, that we are able to encourage more children to brush their teeth regularly – twice a day at home, (plus daily at Puddleducks) be taken to visit a dentist regularly and know the effects of what eating sugary things has on their teeth.

Starting from 25th April 2022 we will be setting up teeth brushing at Puddleducks.

Our aim is to provide supervised tooth brushing every day for all children at Puddleducks. (This is not a replacement for twice a day at home)

Each child will be allocated a named toothbrush which will be stored out of the reach of the children for hygiene. The children will be encouraged to brush their teeth along with their peers for approximately 2 minutes. Toothpaste containing between 1350ppm to 1500ppm will be used to provide best protection. 

We will be covering lots during these sessions, from how much toothpaste we need, how to brush all our teeth, what is bad for our teeth, what the dentist does to help us etc.

This will take place once the children have been dropped off in the morning, after having hung up their coat and bag. For those children who attend afternoons only, we will be brushing teeth after lunch.

​

Public Health England report that 'The evidence tells us that to maximise caries (decay and crumbling tooth or bone) prevention children aged 0 to six years should brush their teeth at least twice a day with family fluoride toothpaste (containing 1350-1500ppm (part per million ppm)), with under three year olds using a smear and three to six year olds a pea sized amount.

 They should spit not rinse after brushing and toothbrushing should be supervised by an adult.'

​

​

    You can find a guide of 'how to take care of your children's teeth' using this link -  https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/taking-care-of-childrens-teeth/

​

Children under 18 receive free NHS dental services.  For more information visit - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/who-is-entitled-to-free-nhs-dental-treatment-in-england/ 

​

You can find a dentist by using the following link - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/how-to-find-an-nhs-dentist/

​

​