teachers to 'supervise' tooth brushing

Janepig

notanewuser wrote: »

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!!!

I remember DS's class being involved in this when he was in year 1 or 2, afew years ago, but how rigorously enforced it was I don't know and I don't know if the younger children still do it. I would also imagine (although again I don't know) that it would be the LSA's/TA's who would be supervising them rather than the teacher. It's not something I think they should be doing though, it's the job of the parents, even though many of those parents are too inept to do it.

If they want to do something they should bring back the nit nurse!

Jx

bylromarha

I saw this article in the Mirror today (bought it for the Aldi vouchers, honest...)

Actually applauded when I read it. I think I'm one of many teachers who think the line between parenting and school is becoming too blurry.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/educating-yorkshires-jonny-mitchell-time-4488861

meritaten

notanewuser wrote: »

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!!!

I live in Wales and have taken my grandson to school for the last 4 years - and NEVER heard of this! I have taken him since his playgroup, nursery and reception and in his Year 1 class. he cleaned his teeth down my house after his breakfast.
tbh - knowing Wales - it could be a LEA thing?

Hedgehog99

It doesn't take long to teach, and. depressingly, there are too many parents who don't bother, so I think it's good to cover it in schools. When I was at school (quite a while ago!), we did the "tooth in cola" experiment in science and watched a video about oral hygiene during an assembly. It's only a health care subject, along with contraception and "the chat just for girls" that's also taught at school.

notanewuser

http://www.designedtosmile.co.uk/whatisd2s.html

meritaten

Hedgehog99 wrote: »

It doesn't take long to teach, and. depressingly, there are too many parents who don't bother, so I think it's good to cover it in schools. When I was at school (quite a while ago!), we did the "tooth in cola" experiment in science and watched a video about oral hygiene during an assembly. It's only a health care subject, along with contraception and "the chat just for girls" that's also taught at school.

yes - we had the 'Oral Hygiene' lecture in school in the early sixties - but I had the impression this was going to be a 'routine' part of the school day. not a 'one off' lesson (which I would think would be a good thing).

MrsSave

meritaten wrote: »

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.

My personal opinion is that in an ideal world to spend that time teaching would be great, but there are so many children in schools from homes where this isn't the norm (it's difficult to believe, but I have seen young children with awful teeth), that sparing those 2-3 minutes each day isn't such a bad thing.

My son is 15 months, and from what I understand the staff don't do it, but the children do, so basically they chew on the toothbrush for a minute or so. I'd like to think my son's dental hygiene is great at home, but from a parent's point of view I don't see a little extra brushing to be a problem.

meritaten

MrsSave wrote: »

My personal opinion is that in an ideal world to spend that time teaching would be great, but there are so many children in schools from homes where this isn't the norm (it's difficult to believe, but I have seen young children with awful teeth), that sparing those 2-3 minutes each day isn't such a bad thing.

My son is 15 months, and from what I understand the staff don't do it, but the children do, so basically they chew on the toothbrush for a minute or so. I'd like to think my son's dental hygiene is great at home, but from a parent's point of view I don't see a little extra brushing to be a problem.

right - I prefer that teachers spend their time 'teaching' too. and I don't think a child's dental hygiene is down to teaching staff. when it comes to 'breakfast club' - then perhaps there is a case for the staff there to spend a few minutes supervising 'brushing teeth' before they are taken up to class?

as for normal school routine, I think it is really down to the parents to send their kids to school with 'brushed teeth'.



Very diplomatic answer though MrsSave!:)

GwylimT

Unfortunately I can understand it, we regularly have a dentist who comes to school to talk to our pupils and go over brushing techniques etc. If lots of us adults can't even get the basics right, such as getting children to brush after eating when it should only be done before or after a very good swill then really it does make you think how many are actually brushing correctly at home.

notanewuser

meritaten wrote: »

right - I prefer that teachers spend their time 'teaching' too. and I don't think a child's dental hygiene is down to teaching staff. when it comes to 'breakfast club' - then perhaps there is a case for the staff there to spend a few minutes supervising 'brushing teeth' before they are taken up to class?

as for normal school routine, I think it is really down to the parents to send their kids to school with 'brushed teeth'.

But it's fine for them to send them without breakfast.......?