NICE Recommends Supervised Tooth Brushing At School
NICE, the body, which makes recommendations for health care and policy guidelines in England and Wales, has called for supervised brushing programmes in schools and nurseries to reduce the prevalence of decay among young children.
The latest NHS statistics show that more than 10 per cent of 3 year olds have signs of dental decay, despite the fact the condition is preventable. In some areas of the country, more than half of five year olds have decayed teeth and dentists all over the UK have reported an increase in the number of young children who need extensive treatment under general anaesthetic to have rotten teeth removed.
New guidelines suggested by NICE call for the introduction of brushing programmes in schools and nurseries in areas where rates of decay are high; the body has also recommended fluoride varnish schemes.
Professor Mike Kelly, director of NICE’s Centre for Public Health, said that far too many young children are suffering with dental decay and this is setting them up for complex dental issues in adulthood.
Representatives from NICE have called for local authorities to identify areas of need; in these areas, toothbrush packs should be handed out for use at home and at school to ensure that children clean their teeth. NICE also called for fluoride varnish treatment to be provided twice a year.
Statistics showed that rates of decay were particularly high in disadvantaged areas and among some ethnic minorities. In Leicester, 34 per cent of children had signs of dental decay.
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