Estonia wants to expand supervised toothbrushing in kindergartens
Estonian dentist Anastassia Kuldmaa has advocated expanding toothbrushing under adult supervision in kindergartens. In her view, additional brushing could become a mandatory part of the educational program, alongside handwashing and other hygiene practices.
As ERR News reports, Kuldmaa noted that children do not effectively brush their teeth in the morning and evening in all families. According to her, a child may be given a toothbrush without supervision even though they do not yet know how to perform the procedure properly. The dentist believes that oversight by a responsible adult helps maintain proper oral hygiene at home as well.
Study among five-year-old children
Kuldmaa referred to a recent study of 600 five-year-old children in Estonia, selected by kindergarten groups. In her assessment, the results worsened somewhat compared with a 2018 study. She stressed that consultations alone are insufficient to change daily habits: adults who do not brush their own teeth thoroughly may not check whether a child brushes for two minutes.
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The dentist also stated that two-thirds of five-year-old children require dental treatment. She named frequent snacking, easy access to food, and insufficient removal of dental plaque at home among the main problems.
Experience of other countries
According to Kuldmaa, over ten years, nearly all children in Scotland began brushing their teeth in kindergartens, while spending on children's dental treatment fell by almost three times. She added that England has also introduced such a system, and a downward trend is already being observed there.
Kindergartens generally respond positively to the initiative, Kuldmaa said. They are provided with toothbrushes, stickers, and holders, while a teacher supervises the two-minute brushing. The dentist recommended replacing a toothbrush every three months or earlier if the bristles become frayed, and taking three-hour breaks between meals while drinking only plain water during that time.
