SCHOOLS in the UK have been ranked as the worst for educating children about their oral health.
According to the findings of a new YouGov survey, less than one in three (29 per cent) of children aged between five and 16 are given lessons about the importance of good oral care.
The research highlights how far UK schools are falling behind when it comes to teaching young children about looking after the health of their mouth.
Mexico tops the global list, with more than nine in 10 (93 per cent) schoolchildren there being taught about the importance of oral health.
The UK is also significantly behind the United States (53 per cent), Australia (54 per cent), Germany (69 per cent), China (77 per cent), Brazil and India (91 per cent).
Tooth decay is the number one reason for hospital admissions among children in the UK, with extractions estimated to have cost the NHS over £200 million since 2012.
Public Health England (PHE) has also found that at least 60,000 school days are missed every year due to tooth extractions. Teachers play an invaluable role in imparting healthy living messages to children, which are best solidified when backed up with the same messages and support at home.
If you are working with children and are interested in encouraging better health for your students, then you may want to consider taking part in National Smile month. It is set to run from May 13 until June 13 and a large number of individuals and organisations will be setting up events like smileathons, two-minute smile challenges or classroom visits by the dental team to spread the message of healthy smiles. You can find out more and get ideas from the Oral Health Foundation website.
Further findings from the survey revealed that nearly half (49 per cent) of British parents “didn’t know” how often their child’s school gave lessons on the importance of good oral care.
“There are children up and down the country who are in pain due to the lack of attention their teeth have been given in their early, most crucial years," Oral Health Foundation chief executive Dr Nigel Carter says.
“We all have a responsibility to protect kids from tooth decay and unnecessary suffering. Government and local authorities must now work alongside parents, health professionals and teachers to provide an effective and long-term solution.”
