As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, new research shows that the majority of teachers are now providing students with basic oral care.
A survey carried out by hygiene poverty charity, Beauty Banks, shows that 83% of teachers have given their pupils toothbrushes and toothpaste.
Other findings include:
- 81% said there are children in their school who don’t have regular access to toothpaste
- Two in five (40%) said this leads to students being socially excluded by their peers because of oral hygiene issues. Half report children isolating themselves. One third have witnessed bullying directly
- One quarter (25%) say children miss school because of poor oral hygiene. Three quarters (74%) said children who don’t have regular access to oral health products have discoloured teeth. Half said children had noticeable tooth decay. Around 30% reported children in dental pain or suffering from halitosis
- Nearly one third (31%) of teachers who witness poverty in the classroom report said it effected their mental health. One in four are kept awake at night worrying about their students’ wellbeing, while 38% report feeling helpless.
Tooth decay remains the most common reason for hospital admissions among young children.
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‘Shocking survey’
BDA chair Eddie Crouch said: ‘Our youngest patients face a perfect storm, with millions unable to access care, or even the basics to maintain good oral health. This shocking survey underlines that deep health inequalities are set to widen.
‘Yet while our children face an epidemic of decay, the government seems asleep at the wheel.’
Beauty Banks supports individuals and families in the UK who can’t afford to stay clean. Co-founder Jo Jones said: ‘We work with charities including food banks, family centres, domestic abuse centres, homeless shelters and universally – across the board – toothpaste is now our most requested item. Before the cost of living crisis, it wasn’t even in the top three.
‘So we initiated this research with the British Dental Association to fully understand the immediate and long-term impact of a lack of access to fundamental but vital oral hygiene essentials.’
You can read the full report here.
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