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Early years settings should teach children how to clean their teeth

Nursery children at high risk of poor oral health should be given lessons on how to brush their teeth, recommends new advice.

The guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) says local authorities should consider commissioning a supervised tooth-brushing scheme in nurseries and children’s centres in deprived areas where children are at risk of poor oral health.

Targeted at children from the age of three, the scheme would be used to establish and promote good tooth-brushing habits.

It follows a recent Public Health England survey, which found that children in deprived areas are more likely to show signs of tooth decay.

Under the scheme, early years staff would be expected to supervise children from the age of three brushing their teeth every day, as well as work with parents to encourage children to brush their teeth at home.

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