A new toothbrushing program is due to be phased in soon across Quebec. This toothbrushing program will involve teachers supervising the toothbrushing of young children in their care. The aim of this program is to improve the oral health of a vulnerable group, and to encourage them to develop a habit of brushing their teeth regularly. However, concerns regarding the impact this will have on teachers have been put forward.
A new toothbrushing program will soon be phased in across Quebec. This program will involve teachers supervising the toothbrushing of young children under their care.
The aim of the program is to improve the oral health of young citizens of the province. It should also help to encourage them to develop good brushing techniques.
However, the program has also led to some concerns being raised. For example, there have been suggestions that raising the workload of teachers further should be avoided.
The Original Plans
In 2017, the Quebec Program for Supervised Brushing of Teeth with Fluoride Toothpaste in Educational Childcare and Elementary School was launched by the province’s Health Ministry [1].
To begin with, schools in areas that had a surplus of staff available had visits from hygienists and dental consultants [1]. These professionals educated children on toothbrushing.
However, the progress of the plan was halted due to the effects of Covid-19 [1]. But with the pandemic’s impact on education largely ceasing recently, the plan has now been updated.
Updated Plans
The new program involves asking teachers to ensure all children under the age of 4 receive a daily toothbrushing session [1]. This session would take place during regular school hours.
The guidelines suggest that the supervising teacher will be asked to check that students under their care are using an appropriate amount of toothpaste, keep their brushes in good condition and store them in a sanitary way, and at the end of brushing spit out any excess liquid [1].
Moreover, the guidelines also state that the brushing should be done in small groups [1]. Furthermore, the guidelines suggest that hand washing should be done frequently [1]. Finally, the guidelines also provide information to assist in infection control [1].
By having teachers supervise children, it will ensure that they are cleaning their teeth – something that is otherwise not guaranteed. This will benefit their oral health in the short-term.
Also, there will be long-term benefits too, as the children should learn habits that will help them throughout their life. Additionally, this should in theory reduce some of the strain on the Canadian healthcare system.
Reaction
There does appear to be a tooth decay problem in Quebec. For example, research has showed that dental caries are “highly prevalent” among children in Quebec [2]. Moreover, this is particularly a problem in rural areas of Quebec [3].
However, there have been concerns raised based on the impact it will have on teachers. The main concern is that this time-consuming routine will lessen teaching time and add an extra responsibility for teachers [1].
Heidi Yetman is the President of the Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers. She has mixed feelings on the subject. Yetman has commented by saying that while the plan is “a great idea”, she has cautioned that the workload of teachers shouldn’t be increased [1]. Yetman has argued that the province needs to hire people directly to implement the program.
Meanwhile, Peggy McCourt, President of the Association of Administrators of English Schools of Quebec, has said that while “no one is questioning the value and importance of ensuring that our children learn how to brush their teeth properly and that they have good oral hygiene”, she has questioned whether it is “the responsibility of the school” [1].
But the Health Ministry has shrugged off the concerns. They have said that all of the educators they contacted have agreed to the measures [1].
They have stated that “the integration of healthy dental habits into the lives of young people is a shared collective responsibility” [1].
While there are questions over responsibility, the most important thing is that the children receive the oral care that they need, one way or another. If teachers can play a part in this, that is great, but other consequences will need to be balanced.
Thinking points…
1) What do you think of this new program? If you have children, it is important to show an interest in their toothbrushing habits. This will help to remind them of the importance of oral health. Getting into a good habit at a young age can result in a lifetime of looking after teeth properly. This will hopefully result in strong oral health throughout their life.
2) It is also very important to set a good example to those around you by exhibiting excellent oral hygiene. This includes avoiding sugary food and drinks where possible, brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, and generally looking after your mouth. An important part of this is to attend regular dental check-ups, as any problems that are present can be looked at and fixed if necessary. We strongly recommend booking an appointment right away!
What we offer at Savanna Dental
Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a range of treatment options and advice aimed at improving oral health.
It is crucial to brush your teeth at least twice a day and to floss regularly. Moreover, eating healthily and trying to avoid sugary foods and drink is important.
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals.
Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.
We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.
References
[1] Sherwin, C. (2022). Teachers will soon be asked to teach toothbrushing 101 in Quebec, raising workload concerns. Available: https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/teachers-will-soon-be-asked-to-teach-toothbrushing-101-in-quebec-raising-workload-concerns-1.6100000. Last accessed: 15th October 2022.
[2] Edasseri, A., Barnett, T. A., Ka, K., Henderson, M., & Nicolau, B. (2017). Oral Health–Promoting School Environments and Dental Caries in Québec Children. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 53 (5): p697-704. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2017.07.005.
[3] Kim, Y. N., Rouleau, L-E. B., Carnevale, F., Whiteduck, G., Chief, D., & Macdonald, M. E. (2021). Anishnabeg children and youth’s experiences and understandings of oral health in rural Quebec. Rural and Remote Health. 21 (2): p6365-6372. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22605/rrh6365.
Comments
[…] A New Toothbrushing Program Is Due To Be Phased Across Quebec. This Will Involve Teachers Supervising the Toothbrushing of Young Children in Their Care […]