04.06 Oral Health

The setting provides care for children and promotes health through promoting oral health and hygiene, encouraging healthy eating, healthy snacks and tooth brushing.

• Fresh drinking water is available at all times and easily accessible.
• Sugary drinks are not served.
• In partnership with parents, babies are introduced to an open free-flowing cup at 6 months and from 12 months are discouraged from using a bottle.
• Only water and milk are served with morning and afternoon snacks.
• Children are offered healthy nutritious snacks with no added sugar.
• Parents are discouraged from sending in confectionary as a snack or treat.
• Staff follow the Infant & Toddler Forum’s Ten Steps for Healthy Toddlers.

Where children clean their teeth when at the setting

• Children are encouraged to brush their teeth as part of the daily routine. Teeth should not be cleaned for at least one hour after a meal as this can cause loss of enamel.
• Each child has their own toothbrush, which is stored individually to prevent accidental contact and cross contamination.
• A small amount of toothpaste is put onto a blue paper towel before applying to the brush to prevent cross contamination.
• Toothbrushes are cleaned at each session and sterilised weekly in Milton or similar disinfecting fluid.
• Toothbrushes are changed every three months and provided by parents.
• Oral hygiene activities are included in planning at least every three months when toothbrushes are changed.
• The setting co-ordinates with local oral health and ensure procedures are reviewed regularly, additional guidance from the local team may be added to this procedure.

Pacifiers/dummies

• Parents are advised to stop using dummies/pacifiers once their child is 12 months old.
• Dummies that are damaged are disposed of and parents are told that this has happened

Further guidance

Infant & Toddler Forum: Ten Steps for Healthy Toddlers www.infantandtoddlerforum.org/toddlers-to-preschool/healthy-eating/ten-steps-for-healthy-toddlers/

 

This Policy was created by Suzannah Arnfield on 1^st June 2024

Reviewed by Niamh Herron Date 03/06/2024