UK schools ranked worst for educating children about their oral health
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- Published: Wednesday, 27 March 2019 07:39
- Written by News Editor
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According to the findings of a new YouGov survey, less than one in three (29%) British children aged between five and 16 are given lessons about the importance of good oral care. The research highlights how far UK schools are falling behind when it comes to teaching young children about looking after the health of their mouth.
The UK is significantly behind the United States (53%), Australia (54%), Germany (69%), China (77%), Brazil, India (91%) and Mexico (93%).
|
% of children taught about oral health at school by country |
|
|
Mexico |
93% |
|
Brazil |
91% |
|
India |
91% |
|
Indonesia |
87% |
|
Algeria |
86% |
|
Morocco |
86% |
|
Poland |
84% |
|
Saudi Arabia |
81% |
|
China |
77% |
|
Germany |
69% |
|
Australia |
54% |
|
United Sates of America |
53% |
|
United Kingdom |
29% |
Further findings from the survey revealed that nearly half (49%) of British parents “didn’t know” how often their child’s school gave lessons on the importance of good oral care. In comparison, Australia (35%) and the USA (32%) were next, followed by Germany (19%), Saudi Arabia (12%), Poland (10%), China, Indonesia and Morocco (9%), Algeria (6%), India (5%), Brazil (3%) and Mexico (1%).
Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation, says the results of the survey further reinforce the need for a more hands-on approach from the government. He says: “The news that the UK is at the bottom of the heap when it comes to oral health education is extremely disappointing but is sadly not a surprise. The government continues to ignore the importance of oral hygiene for a young person’s overall wellbeing. Oral health is absent in the school curriculum and our children are suffering as a result.”
BDA Chair Mick Armstrong said: “There is no reason why the UK should be at the bottom of the class for oral health education. The missing pieces are outreach, education and support, but sadly tried and tested approaches are not benefiting all our children.
“Scotland and Wales have pioneered programmes in nurseries and primary schools that have been adopted worldwide, and kids across England deserve the same effort. Simple ideas like supervised brushing can pay for themselves, but cash-strapped schools can’t do it alone.”
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