Did you know that nearly a third of five-year-old children have hurt their baby teeth? As young children learn to walk and play, they are more likely to experience teeth and mouth injuries. That’s why it’s important to keep child care facilities safe and develop smart habits to prevent accidents and protect children’s smiles.
According to the National Center on Health, Brush Up on Oral Health April 2017, child care staff and parents can protect children by:
- Performing safety sweeps of areas where children play: check playground equipment for age-appropriateness, remove tripping hazards (toys and other obstacles), use safety gates, and cover sharp corners on furniture.
- Developing policies and procedures to prevent injuries and handle them when they happen: consult health advisory committee members, parents, and child safety experts for assistance on how to respond quickly and effectively when an oral injury occurs.
- Documenting and tracking all injuries: keep a log and review it to help identify patterns and determine where changes are needed. Always inform parents when an injury occurs.
- Educating staff, parents, and children: trainings, meetings, newsletters and social media may all be used to prevent oral injuries.
Use these strategies to make a difference in the oral health of the little ones in your care! For more information, click here to download this handy, updated tip sheet.
