Parents lack 'adequate child oral health knowledge'

Credit: PA

Welsh parents’ knowledge of safe dental care for their children is inadequate compared to Welsh Government standards, a new study has shown.

The study found that nearly half of parents allowed their children to drink sugary drinks between meals and 37% allowed their children to brush their teeth just once a day.

The findings will be presented at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and Welsh Paediatric Society’s Welsh Paediatric Conference later today.

49% of parents allow their children to drink sugary drinks between meals Credit: PA

The study used a questionnaire based on Designed to Smile standards, an NHS Dental Programme funded by the Welsh Government, to see if parents’ knowledge of their child’s dental care matched these simple levels.

Questions included whether children brushed their teeth twice a day with fluoride containing toothpaste, whether they didn’t rinse out after cleaning and whether they went to the dentist.

The study also found that:

  • 12% of their children were not registered with a dentist

  • Only 53% of parents knew that milk and water are the only safe drinks for young children’s teeth

  • 60% of parents encourage their children to rinse their mouth out with water after brushing, which goes against Designed to Smile Guidelines

  • 55% of parents do not use sugar free medicines

  • 37% allowed their children to brush their teeth just once a day

  • 49% of parents allow their children to drink sugary drinks between meals