Policy: Promoting Oral Health

Purpose: To promote the habit of regular tooth brushing and to instruct children in the proper tooth brushing technique.

Procedure:

1. Tooth brushing occurs daily in all centers and at Discovery Days. Staff and parents model appropriate tooth brushing technique, reminding children to brush on the top, on the bottom and their back teeth. Staff or parents brush children’s teeth if the child is not able to.

2. Children under age 3 use a smear of fluoride toothpaste, children ages 3 to 6 use a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste. Infants without teeth, staff or parents will wipe the child’s gums with a gauze pad.

3. Each child has a personally labeled toothbrush. Tooth brushes and covers are replaced minimally every three months.

4. After use, replace toothbrush in the toothbrush holder. Toothbrushes and holders should be labeled so that toothbrushes are replaced in the same slot daily. Toothbrushes are stored with bristles up to prevent bacteria from running back onto bristles. Toothbrushes are allowed to air dry.

5. Toothbrushes should be stored “free of toothpaste”. Toothbrushes that cannot be cleaned should be replaced. Toothbrush covers that cannot be cleaned should be replaced.

6. Tooth brushing should be supervised by an adult to ensure that toothbrushes are handled properly.

7. Toothbrush holders and tooth brush cover should be cleaned minimally each week. Cleaning process can be done by placing items in dishwasher or soaking in hot soapy water, rinsing thoroughly, spraying with bleach solution.

8. Toothbrushes should be replaced when a child is diagnosed with a strep infection. Strep bacteria can live for long periods on surfaces. If a child is diagnosed with strep it is probably prudent to provide a new toothbrush.