A new public opinion survey conducted in the United States has revealed that around sixty-five percent of parents look to schools to help reinforce the importance of oral health to their children, with many claiming that it is extremely important for schools to teach children about oral health. The survey was conducted online between May and June 2010 and surveyed over 1,000 parents and 1,200 children between the ages of 8 and 18.
President and CEO of campaign group Oral Health America, Beth Truett, said; ‘If we want our children to be in school, ready to learn, both parents and schools have a vested interest in working in partnership with dental care providers to teach good habits what will last a lifetime, and keep teeth and mouths healthy.‘ The survey comes after tooth decay had been announced as the leading chronic childhood disease in the United States, and that children lose over fifty million school hours each year due to dental related problems.
The report suggested that the message of dental health was delivered less and less as children got older. The sixty five percent of school children that are told about dental health is reduced to around 36% once they reach middle school, and down even further to nineteen percent when they reach high school.
Beth Truett added; ‘Parents should commit to spending just two minutes twice a day younger children to make sure they are not only brushing and flossing their teeth, but doing it right. Schools can help by integrating mouth health into health and science classes at all grade levels, explaining oral health’s importance to overall health, and demonstrating how plaque affects teeth and gums.’
The survey was released to help start the “Fall for Smiles” initiative, which aims to promote self care, healthy food choices, quitting smoking and regular dentist visits.
