tooth brushing requirement is a state mandate

[lostinblue 1,989]

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/health/22266008/detail.html

New Tooth Brushing Regulations To Take Effect

Children Required To Brush After Meals

POSTED: 3:00 pm EST January 18, 2010

UPDATED: 4:23 pm EST January 18, 2010

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Comments (106)

BOSTON -- A new mandate in Massachusetts will require day care providers to help children brush their teeth after a meal.

As NewsCenter 5's Liz Brunner reported Monday, while it's a state law, parents can opt out.

Tooth brushing is becoming part of the daily routine at day cares across Massachusetts.

Starting this month, any child who has a meal in day care or is in care for more than four hours will be required to brush their teeth, according to the Department of Early Education and Care.

"We've notified the parents and we've talked to all the children about tooth brushing and good oral hygiene," said Nicole Chan, who works at Knowledge Beginnings in Needham, Mass.

Improving oral hygiene is the driving force behind the new regulations.

"One out of four children have tooth decay. Fifty percent of them aren't treated," said Dr. Maria Georgaklis, a pediatric dentist who works at Cleveland Circle Dental Associates.

Georgaklis says parents should embrace the regulations to protect their teeth of their children.

"This will prevent tooth decay," she said.

But some parents are concerned about germs. Knowledge Beginnings has a system in place to address this issue.

"We're providing the toothbrushes, the holders, the cases and the toothpastes, as well," said Chan.

And teachers are the only ones who can hand the child their toothbrush.

Even though the tooth brushing requirement is a state mandate, parents can opt out.

[Nagishkaw 510]

GTFO!

[Jenn! 918]

i hear they're also mandating feeding solid foods to infants 4 months and older.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Hey, I don't know about you, but, I can't wait to get Obama Care. You can go a feed the Health Providers your life savings.

Edited January 31, 2010 by Niels Bohr

[one...two...tree 2,762]

while it's a state law, parents can opt out.

Whatever happened to good 'ol fashioned neglect?

[Peikko 1,575]

The mandate is on child care professionals. Perhaps parents have complained that these professionals do not do this and they want them to? Generally when a mandate is placed on the care professionals, the drive is from those using the care.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The mandate is on child care professionals. Perhaps parents have complained that these professionals do not do this and they want them to? Generally when a mandate is placed on the care professionals, the drive is from those using the care.

These kinds of unreasonable regulations will ruin the daycare industry and force them to move overseas or raise their prices, hurting us more in the pocket. I'd rather pay a dentist for all the cavities my little tot acquired while in daycare all day while I'm at work.

[Arabella 4]

i hear they're also mandating feeding solid foods to infants 4 months and older.

Glad I don't live there. My kids were fed straight breast milk for the first 6 months.

[Peikko 1,575]

I'd understand the 'outrage' if there was a mandate on parents to ensure their kids teeth were brushed, that is too 'Big Brother' but this is nothing like that, it's simply ensuring the highest standards in child care. How awful!

[NickD 202]

What about flossing? Shouldn't that be mandated too?

What about jobs after these kids grow up?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'd understand the 'outrage' if there was a mandate on parents to ensure their kids teeth were brushed, that is too 'Big Brother' but this is nothing like that, it's simply ensuring the highest standards in child care. How awful!

Why can't we just let the free market solve these problems without regulations? Daycare centers that neglect your kid's teeth would simply lose business, leaving only the best caretakers behind.

[Peikko 1,575]

If more parents want their children to be flossed than do not, and if there is a drive to impliment that into child care, they may well mandate it. How terrible!

Why can't we just let the free market solve these problems without regulations? Daycare centers that neglect your kid's teeth would simply lose business, leaving only the best caretakers behind.

Yes, quite.

Edited January 31, 2010 by Madame Cleo

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Junior's new smile

[Peikko 1,575]

The outrage must be on the interference in how businesses are run - I can't imagine any parent asking to opt out of getting their children into good teeth brushing habits.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The outrage must be on the interference in how businesses are run - I can't imagine any parent asking to opt out of getting their children into good teeth brushing habits.

lostinblue is on one of his anti-obama kicks, so he used this as example of what Obama's Bolshevic plot will do to our little tykes.....tooth brushing indoctrination! (sound of woman screaming)