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Politicians back Stop the Rot campaign
29th Mar 2006
Children should be encouraged to take their toothbrushes to school so they can clean their teeth after lunch, MPs have said.
Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat politicians believe the measure would help tackle alarming levels of tooth decay among school pupils.
They are urging ministers to support a campaign calling on nursery and primary schools to abandon unhealthy foods and allow kids to brush their teeth after their midday meal.
Stop the Rot was the brainchild of Graham Wilding, a dentist, who initiated it with Happy Days Nursery in Poulton Le Fylde, North Lancashire.
He persuaded parents and staff to sign up to three pledges to protect children’s teeth: cut down on sugar, reduce the eating of sweets, and ensure toddlers brush after lunch.
He acted after becoming alarmed at the number of children who came to his prctice with tooth decay.
His campaign was so successful that a Stop the Rot website has been launched, and sponsorship is now being sought for a DVD, scheduled for release later this year, which will feature the academic and television presenter Lord Winston.
MPs have signed a Parliamentary motion asking the Government: ‘to allow primary school children to brush their teeth at lunchtime in the way they are being increasingly shown at nursery schools’.
Ben Wallace, Tory MP for Lancaster and Wyre, said, ‘Getting the children to bring their toothbrush to school with them and brush after they have eaten is helping to protect their oral health.’
Mr Wallace’s early day motion – a device aimed at highlighting an issue of concern – has currently been signed by 24 MPs from each of the three main political parties.
In January, the results of a survey showed that nearly 40% of five-year-old children had signs of tooth decay.
But the Stop the Rot campaign hopes to emulate the success of a scheme in Glasgow nursery schools, which encourages children to replace sugary snacks with milk and fruit, and establish a regular tooth brushing regime.
When the children have finished their snacks the toothbrush bus is brought out. This specially-made washable toy carries a toothbrush for each child, bearing his or her name.
After only two years, the number of under-fives in the pilot area with no cavities had increased from 10% to 30%.
Mr Wallace said: ‘The Stop the Rot campaign has a really great website, which puts out a very good message about good diet and the importance of brushing.’
For more details, log on to www.stop-the-rot.co.uk
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