Written by Rabab Fathy
Monday, February 06, 2023 11:55 am
New research shows that four out of five teachers in the United Kingdom have provided toothbrushes and toothpaste to students, as the cost of living crisis has affected children’s oral health, according to the British newspaper, The Guardian.
A survey conducted by the poverty hygiene charity Beauty Banks and the British Dental Association revealed (BDA) 81% of teachers say that some children in their school do not have access to toothpaste, while 41% say that this leads to their social exclusion due to poor oral hygiene.
The study came as household budgets continued to take a hit in the UK, as inflation topped 10% and the International Monetary Fund warned that Britain is expected to be the only large industrialized country facing an economic downturn this year..
Three-quarters of teachers said that lack of access to toothpaste and toothbrushes had led to discoloration of children’s teeth, and half said they knew children with noticeable tooth decay, while just under a third had toothaches or bad breath..
One in four teachers surveyed said they stayed up at night worrying about their pupils’ well-being, while 38% reported feeling helpless..
Guardian report
Researchers spoke to 260 teachers at a state secondary school in the UK, including an assistant headteacher in Lewisham who said some students were still wearing “masks” to cover their mouths. The safeguarding lead at the same school in Lewisham said the cost of living crisis had led to more calls from parents who were unable to purchase basic hygiene products..
They said: “Instances of bullying among young people due to symptoms associated with poor oral hygiene have reached a record high.” “[نحن] We deal with many students who do not brush their teeth every day, do not shower frequently and cannot wash and dry their clothes effectively..”
