York Council Hands Out Free Oral Health Kits for Children
Representatives from City of York Council are giving out free oral health kits to local children. The packs contain a toothbrush, a brushing chart and an egg-timer, which times you brushing for two minutes.
The new initiative is part of a project to target rising rates of tooth decay among the city’s youngsters. Figures show almost 250 children were admitted to hospital in York for tooth extraction in 2013/2014. 48 of these children were aged under five years old.
Local dentist Ben Underwood created the Brush DJ app, which helps to encourage children to brush for longer. He said he was thrilled that the council is taking action to reach out to young people. Most cases of decay are preventable and nipping problems in the bud will have major benefits going forward.
As part of their research to formulate new dental health initiatives, councillors discovered that many parents find it difficult to get their children to brush their teeth twice a day. Brushing apps like those developed by Mr Underwood and reward charts could help to eradicate these problems.
Councillor Carol Runciman, executive member for adult social care and health, said it’s essential for children to develop good oral hygiene habits from an early age. She also stressed the importance of regular dental checkups for children.
Join this Discussion