Oral health and sugar consumption

1. Background to oral health and sugar consumption survey

We have been asked to speak at the British Dental Association expert summit on sugar and oral health in November 2018. The meeting will focus on communicating health messages around sugar consumption to the public.

We would be pleased to have the insights of health visitors and health visiting team members on what is confusing and what is helpful in addressing sugar consumption with families. Please answer the following related questions to test your knowledge, identify possible areas of improvement around sugar consumption messaging, and tell us what you would like us to raise.

13 questions - AVERAGE TIME TO COMPLETE SURVEY = 6 MINUTES

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* 1. Are you a Health Visitor or working in an Health Visiting team currently?

Yes

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* 2. What is your job role in HV team?

Health visitor (registered SCPHN)

Student health visitor

Staff nurse in HV team

Nursery nurse in HV team

Early years practitioner in HV team

Other job role (please specify)

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* 3. Have you received training in relation to oral health promotion?

Yes

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* 4. What training or updating have you received in relation to oral health promotion in the last 3 years? Tick all the apply

During initial HV training only

During induction for Staff nurse or Nursery nurse role only

In-house updating via local oral health promotion team

Other local update provided

Achieved through your own individual learning

No update received

Other (please specify)

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* 5. Have you received training in relation to sugar consumption in families with under fives?

Yes

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* 6. What training or updating have you received in relation to sugar consumption in the last 3 years? Tick all the apply

During initial HV training only

During induction for Staff nurse or Nursery nurse role only

In-house updating via local health promotion/ healthy weight team

Other local update provided

Achieved through your own individual learning

No update received

Other (please specify)

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* 7. Concern is rising about the high intake of free sugars in children's diets because of the links with tooth decay and obesity. Please tell us what you understand by the term free sugars in the comments box below

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* 8. Which (if any) of the following are affected by the introduction of the government "Sugar Levy"?

Infant formula milk

Follow-on formula milk

Baby foods

None of the above

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* 9. Which of the following statements are existing guidance relating to dental caries prevention in the under threes. Tick as many as you feel apply

From 6 months of age infants should be introduced to drinking from a non-valve free-flowing cup

From age one year onwards feeding from a bottle should be discouraged

Sugar or sugar containing products e.g. honey, should not be added to solid foods or drinks

The frequency and amount of sugary food and drinks consumed should be as low as possible

Only plain milk or water should be provided between meals

Offering baby juices or sugary drinks should be discouraged at bedtime

Fruit juice can be offered to children at mealtimes as part of a healthy diet

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* 10. For under ones – which areas cause confusion for parents/carers? Tick as many as you feel apply

Advice on caries prevention and breast feeding

Advice on caries prevention and formula feeding

Information regarding sugar content of mass produced complementary feeding foods on the market e.g. baby foods in pouches and jars

Information regarding sugar content of complementary feeding foods prepared at home e.g. family foods

Recommended frequency of intake of foods containing sugar

Marketing of baby foods aimed at parents

Other (please specify)

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* 11. For children aged 1-5 – which areas cause confusion for parents/carers? Tick as many as you feel apply

Advice on caries prevention and breastfeeding after one year old

Information regarding suitable drinks for young children

Information regarding identification of foods containing sugar

Consistent advice on amounts/frequency of intake of foods containing sugar

Marketing of foods for children

Other (please specify)

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* 12. Please identify areas of good practice - what do you do to be clear with parents around sugar consumption and oral health in the under 5s? Please flag any websites or sources of info that you particularly value

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* 13. Influence on policies that affect health - please identify any key messages about sugar and oral health that you would like us to take back and share at the Sugar Summit meeting