04.6 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 always available and easily accessible.
Sugary drinks are not served.
In partnership with parents/carers 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/carers are discouraged from sending in confectionary as a snack or treat.
Pacifiers/dummies
Parents/carers are advised to stop using dummies/pacifiers once their child is 12 months old.
Dummies that are damaged are disposed of and parents/carers are told that this has happened
Oral health activities
We focus on oral health as topics, both planned and unplanned (with childs interest) this could include cleaning children's teeth.
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
Further guidance
Infant & Toddler Forum: Ten Steps for Healthy Toddlers www.infantandtoddlerforum.org/toddlers-to-preschool/healthy-eating/ten-steps-for-healthy-toddlers/