National Quality Standard (NQS) - Quality Area 2: Children's health and safety
About This Policy
Conversations and information exchange on dental health should be encouraged to promote good dental hygiene practices and lifelong learning for children and their families. Dental health will be included as part of everyday practice at our education and care service.
National Quality Standard (NQS)
Quality Area 2: Children’s Health and Safety
- 2.1 Health- Each child’s health and physical activity is supported and promoted
- 2.1.2 Health practices and procedures- Effective illness and injury management and hygiene practices are promoted and implemented.
- 2.1.3 Healthy Lifestyles- Healthy eating and physical activity are promoted and appropriate for each child
Related Policies
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Purpose We aim to promote children’s health by creating an environment that supports healthy behaviour including good dental hygiene practices. Our Service will encourage dental health by providing nutritional foods for children, avoiding food and drinks that have a sweet and sugary content and ensuring water is available at all times. Good oral health is vital to general wellbeing. Early childhood dental hygiene is a key factor in the development of healthy adult teeth. Encouraging and establishing sound oral health practices early in a child’s life will assist in maintaining good oral health and preventing oral disease and other related diseases over a lifetime. |
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Scope This policy applies to children, families, staff, management and visitors of the Service. |
Implementation
We believe it’s important for all children to have a high level of dental hygiene. We follow the guidelines of the Australian Dental Association and the State Government Health Departments when caring for children’s teeth.
We integrate educative information and guidelines on good dental health practices into the daily routine, including swish and swallow after mealtimes, providing information about tooth brushing, tooth-friendly snacks and drinks and going to the dentist.
To prevent cavities forming, or other adverse dental outcomes, we encourage children to eat nutritious foods and to avoid sticky and sugary foods. All food served prepared at our Service complies with these guidelines. Children will be encouraged to drink water to quench their thirst and remain hydrated throughout the day.
Management/Nominated Supervisor/ Responsible Person will:
- Minimise the provision of sugary foods
- Ensure that the daily menu contains a nutritional balance of foods
- Ensure access to safe drinking water at all times
- Ensure the routine incorporates swish and swallow after each mealtime
Educators will:
Include dental health practices in the daily program
Provide opportunities to discuss dental health education with children
- Support children to access dental health resources for research, exploration and identification These resources will be available through books, posters and visual aids
- Talk with children about dental health during the day, encouraging swish and swallow after mealtime and having children partake in drinking water throughout the day
- Pay particular attention to meal and snack times to ensure healthy food is being eaten
- Give children bottles before they go to bed. Allowing the child to finish the bottle before going to bed and not letting milk settle on teeth can reduce tooth decay.
- Arrange annual visits by dental health professionals as part of the program. Families and children will be encouraged to attend these visits where correct brushing techniques and dental care will be discussed.
- Provide dental care information to families through newsletters, posters, professional visits, weblinks and brochures.
Dental Emergencies
It is important for educators to be aware of how to manage dental accidents and emergencies. Woodlands will:
- Collect contact information from families about their family dentist (if any). This process should be done during the enrolment process.
- Follow a dental accident procedure
- Ensure there is an Educator on duty with current first aid qualifications
- Ensure children are supervised at all times to minimise accidents and incidents
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Source
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| 📅 Policy Reviewed/Modification Dates | ✍️ Modifications & Updates |
| August 2017 |
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| October 2017 |
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| January 2020 |
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| December 2024 |
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Feedback & Collaboration
- At Woodlands, we are committed to continuous improvement and ensuring that our policies and procedures reflect the needs and expectations of everyone we serve. We highly encourage all forms of feedback, whether positive or constructive, to help us refine and enhance our practices.
- 👆 Click Here To Access The Woodlands Policies & Procedure Feedback & Collaboration Form