BDHF Support UK Introduction Of Pre-School Dental Exam

Tue, 15 Apr 2008

The British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) has announced it would welcome a controversial US law for all children to have a dental examination before starting school to be introduced in the UK .

The introduction of the ruling in the UK would mean all three-to-six year olds starting school being required to take a dental examination, which would be carried out by a dentist or dental hygienist.

The records would then be passed on to the school before the children are allowed to begin their education .

The US bill has been the cause of much debate and mixed reactions from education heads and dental experts.

Students in the UK are already required to undergo a vision exam, a hearing test, a scoliosis screening, two physicals and several vaccinations in order to enter and stay in school .

Those opposing the plan have argued that although vision and hearing can have an impact on learning, there is little evidence of a connection between dental screening and its effect on school performance.

However, BDHF chief executive Dr Nigel Carter said he would welcome a move to make a pre-school trip to the dentist compulsory in Britain .

"The Foundation would fully support the introduction of a similar scheme in the UK to ensure that parents take their child to see a dentist as soon as possible," he commented.

"Encouraging children to visit the dentist from a young age is vital and this bill will really help to hammer the message home in the US ."

Dr Carter added: "In the UK, many parents fail to take their children to the dentist because of the perceived problem with access."

"However, most would find that if they contacted their local Primary Care Trust and NHS Direct then they would have no problem finding a dentist to see their child."
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