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How can cross-contamination be prevented when dispensing toothpaste to children
in a group setting?
All Head Start staff and volunteers involved in toothbrushing should wash
their hands before and after helping children brush their teeth. The children
should also wash their hands after brushing. To avoid cross-contamination of
toothpaste, it should not be applied directly to toothbrushes.
Following
are two options for dispensing toothpaste:
• Cut
a sheet of waxed paper into small squares, and squeeze a pea-sized amount
(small
smear) of toothpaste onto each square. Have each child “scoop” the
toothpaste from the waxed paper using his or her toothbrush.
• Squeeze
a pea-sized amount (small smear) of toothpaste inside the lip of
a paper cup. Have each child “scoop” the toothpaste from inside
the paper cup using his or her toothbrush.
After brushing,
instruct children to spit any toothpaste remaining in their mouth
into a paper cup. Then, wipe
their faces with paper towels, and place the paper towels in
the cups to absorb the liquid before disposing of the paper cups.
Teach
children that toothbrushes are only for brushing teeth and
are not toys.
Performance Standards
1304.23(b)(3)
References
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division
of Oral Health. 2002. The Use and Handling of Toothbrushes. Atlanta, GA: Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention
and Health Promotion, Division of Oral Health. http://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/infectioncontrol/factsheets/toothbrushes.htm.
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