Oral Hygiene

[mamac]

Do you brush your dck's teeth during normal business hours?

If you do, do you provide tooth brushes and toothpaste?

[Cradle2crayons]

Yes, we brush after every meal. I provide all toothbrushes and tooth paste. Non fluoride for those under three.

Fluoride for those over three.

[daycarediva]

Yes, after breakfast and lunch. I provide toothbrushes and toothpaste- we use Tom's/fluoride free. There is a HIGH % of fluoride in our local water, even my dentist recommends FF toothpaste to everyone if they drink tap water.

[mamac]

My state requires that we brush their teeth if they are in care for more than 4 hours or have at least one meal while in care. It doesn't specify that we have to brush after every meal but I am going to.

I also provide all the brushes and toothpaste. My ds's dentist gives me a supply every time he has an appointment. (I'm not even officially open yet and I have a nice stash of supplies.)

[MarinaVanessa]

I supervise toothbrushing for my DCks and provide the toothbrushing supplies. I do it because I choose to, it is not required. I don't use toothpaste however, just a personal choice.

[pandamom]

Not sure if we're required to, but at our center we brush once a day. My class does it in the morning, after breakfast. When budget allows (not now because of furloughs and cut military spending) we provide. But the parents have had to supply toothbrushes the past 6 months. Our center does provide toothpaste for now because we bought in bulk a while ago.

[e.j.]

My state regulations require teeth brushing but parents can sign a release form. All of my parents have signed a release so I don't have to brush. If a parent wanted me to fit that in, though, I would ask that they provide a toothbrush and toothpaste.

When the regulation was first introduced, I explained it to all of my dc parents. All but one parent laughed and said it was overkill and that they prefer it be done at home. The one parent said, "Oh great! If you brush my kid's teeth, then I don't have to! I don't have time for that!" I don't think that was what EEC had in mind when they added that reg.

[jenn]

I am required to. I provide the toothbrushes and toothpaste, simply because it is easier for me. I know I would be constantly reminding parents to replace the toothbrush or bring more toothpaste, so I would have to have back up for when they did run out since it is required here.

[Cradle2crayons]

For those of us who provide tooth brushes, please remember its recommended to replace toothbrushes after major illnesses such as strep throat etc.

I remind my parents to do it too, although I'm sure some don't.

But it really does help prevent kids from getting the same germs back.

[MarinaVanessa]

For those of us who provide tooth brushes, please remember its recommended to replace toothbrushes after major illnesses such as strep throat etc.

I remind my parents to do it too, although I'm sure some don't.

But it really does help prevent kids from getting the same germs back.

This is one of the reasons that I provide the toothbrushes so that I can replace them if they get sick or every 6 months. If I wait for the parents to bring them sometimes they take awhile so I prefer to provide them myself (my dentist supplies me with baggies of toothbrushes and other oral hygiene stuff).

It's also a reason why I don't toothpaste at daycare, I'm afraid that the kids may try to put toothpaste on their toothbrushes and their germs will get on the tip of the tube. The way I see it is that the kids can brush without paste since they should be brushing at home well with toothpaste anyway. I'm only doing it to get them into the routine of brushing and to remove the majority of leftover food from meals while at daycare.

[Cradle2crayons]

This is one of the reasons that I provide the toothbrushes so that I can replace them if they get sick or every 6 months. If I wait for the parents to bring them sometimes they take awhile so I prefer to provide them myself (my dentist supplies me with baggies of toothbrushes and other oral hygiene stuff).

It's also a reason why I don't toothpaste at daycare, I'm afraid that the kids may try to put toothpaste on their toothbrushes and their germs will get on the tip of the tube. The way I see it is that the kids can brush without paste since they should be brushing at home well with toothpaste anyway. I'm only doing it to get them into the routine of brushing and to remove the majority of leftover food from meals while at daycare.

[momofboys]

I think this rule or regulation is overkill. Where do you draw the line? It seems common sense to me that the parents should be doing this, not the childcare provider. This is one reason I am so glad in my state providers are not required to be licensed. I understand dental hygiene is important but really???? What's next - requirements for us to bathe the kids?

[momofboys]

This is one of the reasons that I provide the toothbrushes so that I can replace them if they get sick or every 6 months. If I wait for the parents to bring them sometimes they take awhile so I prefer to provide them myself (my dentist supplies me with baggies of toothbrushes and other oral hygiene stuff).

It's also a reason why I don't toothpaste at daycare, I'm afraid that the kids may try to put toothpaste on their toothbrushes and their germs will get on the tip of the tube. The way I see it is that the kids can brush without paste since they should be brushing at home well with toothpaste anyway. I'm only doing it to get them into the routine of brushing and to remove the majority of leftover food from meals while at daycare.

[Play Care]

I used to have everyone do it daily, but at the time the kids were not in care long enough to justify it. Most were getting here at 8 and leaving by 4. I do however, have a toothbrush and past available for each child if they need it - sometimes they just eat something that gives them stinky breath and it's easier to have them brush

[craftymissbeth]

I am required to. I provide the toothbrushes and toothpaste, simply because it is easier for me. I know I would be constantly reminding parents to replace the toothbrush or bring more toothpaste, so I would have to have back up for when they did run out since it is required here.

Are you a center or family daycare? I can't find in our regs that say brushing teeth is required and my licensor didn't say anything about it when she was here... but I'm a family home daycare and maybe you're something else. :confused: