Read the NYTimes article here. I found the tone of the article annoying (gee, golly, my child/classroom is afflicted by the government by encouraging good oral hygiene) but the message exciting. I was thrilled to here that Massachusetts (which, let's face it, I'm not happy with right now) is taking a leadership role in requiring toothbrushing in early care centers, preschools and PreK. I thought the article didn't emphasize the horrifying stat that 1 in 4 Mass. kindergarteners has dental disease. When I was in Head Start, we brushed teeth everyday and while it might have been logistically not my favorite activity, my students LOVED it.
I've considered tooth brushing at my school now, but the day seems so rushed. I feel inspired to order us a toothbrushing kit for next school year. In a parent teacher conference this year, I've had several depressing conversations trying to convince parents that actually baby teeth do matter to the health of their future adult teeth, and that pulling out bad teeth isn't the only solutions dentists can offer (to a parent who is afraid). I can do something in my classroom....and let's be real, I'm sure my dentist would be happier, too, if I was brushing an additional time during the school day.
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