Dentists call for ‘bolder approach’ in school menus
SCHOOL meals should be improved to cut excess sugar and encourage children to eat more fruit and vegetables, leading dentists have said.
Dentists are calling for a “bolder approach” from the Scottish Government to give children a healthy start in life.
The Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow has called for action in a Government consultation on nutritional requirements in schools.
It said that around one third of children suffer from dental decay while three in 10 (29%) are overweight or obese.
The faculty wants to see puddings taken off school lunch menus and replaced with soup or fruit, and is opposed to the idea of including sugar-free drinks on the list of permitted beverages for secondary school.
Faculty Dean Professor Graham Ogden said: “We feel the Scottish Government should take a bolder approach if it’s to ensure that our young people have the healthiest possible start in life.
“For example, we all agree that children should have greater access to more fruit and vegetables as part of their school day, but increasing access does not necessarily increase consumption.
“The guidance must include an evidence-based plan to ensure any increase in provision also ensures that our young people consume larger amounts of healthier food during school meals.
“In addition, our membership also welcome the intention to reduce the sugar content of school meals. However, we totally oppose the inclusion of sugar-free drinks on the list of permitted drinks for secondary school as this could see the reintroduction of diet fizzy drinks.
“This intention is a mistake and we suggest that it must not be permitted. Some will argue sugar-free is a harmreduction approach, but it has all of the well-known disadvantages of that tactic.
“We also know that diet drinks cause dental erosion, in addition to being a gateway to sugar.”
The faculty, which represents more than 1,000 dentists, also calls for action to ensure all children have access to facilities in school to brush their teeth after meals.