Schools in Gloucestershire join toothbrushing scheme to battle decay
In the South West, more than 3,300 teachers and staff have been trained as Oral Health Champions. One of the 113 Primary Schools and Nurseries involved is Bream Church of England Primary School. Headteacher Nicky Brice said: "We all know children have to brush their teeth twice a day but there is a real technique to it, good oral hygiene is vital to introduce at an early stage."We know those challenging times are bed times and getting ready for school, this makes those daily routines a lot smoother and easier."
Government statistics show that 22.4% of five year old schoolchildren in England had experience of obvious dental decay, with tooth decay the most common reason for hospital admissions in children aged between five and nine years.Jermaine Badman and Chantelle Coles, Big Brush Club Project Facilitators, said: "We target areas of deprivation, educating children how to brush their teeth effectively."It gives them the independence of doing it themselves and it makes the children very familiar with what they need to be doing."The provide advice to parents through online webinars, advising them: "Children aged above three years old should use a pea size amount of toothpaste and below three years old, the size of a grain of rice."
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