Do schools have a responsibility to teach children about oral health?
Article Source: HealthSnare.com
Children's oral health is becoming an increasingly important issue, as figures suggest that an alarmingly large number of young children are suffering from extensive decay.
In recent years, doctors have reported a significant increase in the number of young children being admitted into hospital with preventable health conditions, such as obesity and tooth decay. The two conditions are related, as a poor diet is attributed as a major cause for both.
Nowadays, children are surrounded by a wealth of tempting sweet treats and many parents are giving their children sweet foods on a regular basis, rather than just on special occasions. Children and adults are also eating more convenience foods, which are often high in salt and saturated fat and can contribute to weight gain and health problems associated with poor nutrition, including anaemia, heart disease, diabetes and malnutrition.
Down to the school?
With figures associated with children's oral health becoming increasingly worrying, the debate surrounding the responsibility of parents and schools has become increasingly significant. Many parents feel that it is the responsibility of schools to teach children about oral health, whilea large proportion of health experts and teachers feel that oral health education must begin at home. Most children start developing teeth from the age of six months old, long before children are even starting to think about going to school and dentists are keen to urge parents to get involved in their child's oral health from this early age. Dentists are encouraging parents to take care of their child's teeth until they are able to clean them independently; dentists are also keen for parents to bring their child for routine check-ups from the age of one.
First and foremost, oral health has to be the responsibility of the parents, as they will spend years with their child before they go to school; it is their duty to teach children how to clean their teeth and talk to them about the importance of having good oral health. Of course, teachers can continue to teach children about oral health when they go to school, but this should serve to reinforce the message sent out by parents, rather than introducing it.
Many schools now participate in community schemes, which involve dental professionals coming into schools to teach children about issues such as oral hygiene and healthy eating; these educational sessions are designed to be fun and light-hearted and will help children to get involved in oral hygiene.
Good habits
It is important to get children involved from an early age so that they foster good habits; poor oral health contributes to serious health problems, including heart disease, diabetes and an increased risk of strokes so it is really important for people to grasp the importance of taking care of their teeth and gums.
Schools have a part to play in that they can teach children about subjects such as the potential dangers associated with poor oral health, nutrition, scientific information about the structure and function of the teeth and oral hygiene; however, parents must also take responsibility and education about oral health must start long before children go to school.
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Matthew Etherington
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Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2010 Time: 10:09 PM
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