teachers to 'supervise' tooth brushing

meritaten

I am sure I saw this on the news - it had me checking the calendar in case it was April 1st.

I've been waiting for a thread to appear on it!

apparently they want teachers to supervise the class (primary/nursery) brushing their teeth each morning.

sorry, but I think teachers have far better things to do each morning - like actually TEACH?

What other Parental Responsibilities are 'they' planning on taking over? isn't this getting silly now? whats next - turning all State Primary schools into boarding schools so they can 'supervise' all aspects of the kids lives? (yeah I know, that's silly - or is it?)

C_Mababejive

Surely the teachers will not be soft enough to take this on board? Let the parent(s) teach their cola swilling black toothed brats .

System

I can see two news items on google which seem to be about this topic. The first is from the BBC and carries the heading: Schools should check kids brush teeth, says NICE
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29712453

And the other is from our friend The Daily Mail, which has the more emotive headline: Now nanny state wants lessons in brushing teeth! Schools told they must help halt decay caused by children's sugary diets

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2802324/now-nanny-state-wants-lessons-brushing-teeth-schools-told-help-halt-decay-caused-children-s-sugary-diets.html

sulphate

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29712453

Funny, I thought that teeth hygiene came under parenting, not teaching.

What will teachers have to do next, wipe the kids' bums?

MrsSave

It has been in some schools for a few years already. It is also done in the nursery my son attends. I'm a primary school teacher and taught at a school 4 years ago where this was done.

meritaten

MrsSave wrote: »

It has been in some schools for a few years already. It is also done in the nursery my son attends. I'm a primary school teacher and taught at a school 4 years ago where this was done.

Good Grief! I can see it doing some good if the children attend breakfast club, but for those who should, presumably, have cleaned their teeth at home?

can I ask MrsSave - did you feel it was a valuable use of your time? The news item didn't say how teachers felt about it.

lindsaygalaxy

I'm a teacher, I would like to spend more time teaching. I have my own children to look after at home, I don't need to be a parent to another 30.

hieveryone

We do this at school in the infant classes.

notanewuser

There's been a dental like this in Wales for years, Meri. Every child at a registered nursery or school has the option of being given a free toothbrush and toothpaste and they have supervised brushing during the day.

Considering the carp they're getting for lunch I don't think its a bad thing!!!

building_with_lego

Of course, it could be argued that school is where we should teach children life skills. I rarely, if ever, use algebra but sorely wish I'd been taught to floss before my twenties...

oystercatcher

I remember teachers supervising toothbrushing for those who had school dinners when I was in reception class back in the 60's .