Tooth time makes smiles!

Date published: 03/03/2006

“Tooth Time” a new dental health initiative is set to have our toddler’s teeth in sparkling condition.

Rochdale Primary Care Trust’s Oral Health Promotion Unit (OHPU) has launched the scheme in an effort to educate pre-school children and their parents about the importance of looking after their teeth.

Children are encouraged to brush their teeth regularly with famliy fluoride toothpaste and parents are instructed to ensure their child has regular visits to the dentist and advised to restrict sugary foods and drinks to meal times only.

Tooth paste and toothbrushes are delivered every three months to pre-school children via each of the nurseries and play groups involved. These are accompanied by leaflets and other information that go home to parents/carers.

At the start of each school year, a puppet show and role play activities outline the important dental health messages that ‘Tooth Time’ is designed to deliver.

The nurseries and play groups are provided with resources such as dressing up kits, dental toys, books, and activity annuals for the staff to use to reinforce the dental health messages throughout the year in line with the national curriculum.

Subjects such as “people who help us” or “about ourselves” provide the context within which to deliver ‘Tooth Time’. 

Ruth Bardsley, Oral Health Advisor for Rochdale PCT said; “This initiative is crucial if we are to improve the health of children’s teeth in the borough. The Oral Health Promotion Unit for Rochdale PCT is committed to addressing and striving to resolve oral health issues in the town. Through Oral Health education within the early years setting we hope to ensure the children of the future have brilliant smiles.”

Subsequently deliveries are at 3 monthly intervals and managed by the nursery staff in each setting with the help of resources provided by the Oral Health Promotion Unit. The OHPU supports and work closely with the staff of the preschool settings, and whenever possible or where needed, a healthy eating policy is encouraged.

Tips for parents that help their children look after their teeth:

• Start brushing for your child with family fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first tooth appears.
• Do not put sweet drinks in your baby’s bottle.
• Get your child to use a cup as soon as s/he can hold one.
• Keep sweet food and drinks to meal times only.  Sugar free snacks are best for in-between meals. Water and milk are the safest drinks for teeth.
• Take your child to the dentist by his/her first birthday

Together we can give our children beautiful smiles if we make the time.

For more information please contact 01706 754695