National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center, Georgetown University

What should be included in an oral health first aid kit?

It is important to put together and maintain an oral health first aid kit that can be used in the event that a child experiences an oral injury. Items to include in the first aid kit are

• Written instructions on how to handle oral injuries.

• Non-latex gloves to wear while inspecting or cleaning the injured area in the mouth area.

• Gauze to stop bleeding and to clean the injured area in the mouth.

• Cotton swabs to stop bleeding and to clean the injured area in the mouth.

• Salt and/or 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to mix with water for mouth rinses.

• Tea bags to stop bleeding in the injured area in the mouth and to provide temporary relief from a toothache.

• Dental floss to remove objects from between teeth.

• Dental wax or paraffin to protect a child's cheek or gums from a chipped tooth.

• Plastic bags to use for biohazard waste disposal such as blood soaked gauze and swabs.

• Phone numbers where a dentist can be reached in case of emergency.

• Emergency phone numbers (911 or 9-911) in case of an extreme emergency.

Performance Standards

1304.22(a)(2)

1304.22(f)(1)

References

Indiana State Department of Health. Oral Health: Dental First Aid Supplies. http://www.in.gov/isdh/programs/oral/supplies.htm.

South Carolina Department of Education, South Carolina Healthy Schools 2005. Oral Health Supplemental Curriculum Resource. Columbia, SC: South Carolina Department of Education, South Carolina Healthy Schools. http://www.mchoralhealth.org/Materials/Multiples/SC.html.

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