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Oral Health in Early Education and Care

Implementing 606 CMR 7.11(11)(d)

This presentation was informed by materials provided by the:

BEST Oral Health (Bringing early Education, Screening, Treatment), a Program of Partners For A Healthier Community

Cavity Free Kids: Oral Health for Children in Child Care (the Washington Dental Service Foundation)

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Tooth Brushing in Child Care

…is not new for many programs! Head Start programs and many others have been successfully brushing teeth for years without an increase in childhood illness or infection. For some children, this has been their first exposure to tooth brushing; and it has led some families to adopt new and better oral health routines at home.

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606 CMR 7.11(11)(d) Educators must assist children in brushing

their teeth when children:are in care for more than four hours, orconsume a meal

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Why Tooth Brushing in Child Care?

Dental Caries (tooth decay) is the most common chronic disease of childhood

Causes pain, sickness and mortality Inhibits learning, speech and eating

Is almost entirely preventable!

Massachusetts Children Suffer!

25% of kindergarten children40% of 3rd graders30% of 6th graders

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1/3 to 1/2 goes untreated!

Very Young Children Sufferfrom dental decay

6% of 1 year olds22% OF 2 YEAR OLDS35% OF 3 YEAR OLDS48% OF 4 YEAR OLDS

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Low Income Children Suffer Most:nearly 12 times more lost school days

than children from higher income families

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Early Childhood Caries (ECC)

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INTERVENTIONS

Improve dietLimit the frequency of sugar

intakeRemove dental plaque

bacteria with tooth brushingProvide added fluorideSeek preventive care

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Rinse?

Don’t Rinse!

Fluoride?

No Fluoride!

Spit? Don’t Spit!

Tooth Paste?

Mint Flavored?

Fruit Flavored?

There are many different opinions…

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Experts Agree: Tooth Brushing Reduces Dental Caries.

Tooth Brushing Techniques

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Wipe an infant’s gums with a clean, damp cloth after

feeding.

Proper Labeling

Child’s name Date of issue

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Mike J. 2/2/09

Elijah 3/3/09

Aliyah 3/7/09

Colin 2/2/09

Tooth Brushing Techniques:begin brushing once the first

tooth erupts

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Tooth Brushing Techniques

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Children over 2 years old need only a small dabof tooth paste.

Distributing Tooth Paste

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without spreading germs

Provide Water to Rinse the Brush

18…and a paper towel for clean-up.

Brush Teeth and Tongue!

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Spend about 2 minutes brushing.

Rinse the Brush

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…and rinse your mouth & spit into cup if you wish.

Cleaning Up

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Dry off the brush…

Almost done…

22Put the paper towel in the cup….

Done!

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Throw away the cup and the paper towel.

Proper Storage

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•Educators put tooth brushes away•Open to the air•Not touching each other•No disinfectant cleaners

Proper Maintenance

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Recommendation: replace after illness and when worn,at least every three months.

Proper Supplies

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Recommended: mint flavored, ADA approved, sodium fluoride (over 2 years)

Safety First

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Proper supervision is always required!

Sanitizing and Disinfecting

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After brushing, clean and sanitize tables and/or sinks.

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For additional information, see other resources posted on the EEC regulations support page at:

http://www.eec.state.ma.us/licensingRegulations.aspx.