Report Reveals Parents Need More Help To Keep Children’s Teeth Healthy
A report compiled for the Welsh Assembly has revealed that parents need more help to keep their children’s teeth healthy.
The suggestion is one of ten recommendations made by the Welsh Assembly’s children and young people committee. The committee has been evaluating the efficacy of the ‘Designed to Smile’ programme, which was introduced by the government to try and improve standards of oral health among children in the country.
As part of the programme, the government is providing children with fluoride varnish treatments and teeth cleaning packs, which contain a toothbrush and toothpaste.
Speaking last year, Dr Tony Jewell, chief medical officer for Wales, said that more needed to be done to reduce rates of decay. In his annual report, Dr Jewell called for “alternative methods” to ensure that children can benefit from fluoride.
The committee found that rates of decay are high, especially in deprived areas and members are now eager to instil a consistent message, which makes people aware of the benefits of fluoride for children, especially in poor areas where decay is prevalent.
Committee chair, Christine Chapman, was speaking ahead of the launch of the report, which is due to take place at Jenner Park Primary School in Barry. She said that dental decay is still the most common preventable childhood illness but the Designed to Smile programme has been successful. However, she also said that the home brushing element is letting children down and suggested that parents need better education and guidance about how to look after their children’s teeth.
The committee has advised the government to provide more support for parents to ensure that they are able to teach their children good oral hygiene habits and assure that they are aware of the importance of good oral health.
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