• Section 1 - Purpose 
• Section 2 - Scope 
• Section 3 - Responsibility 
• Section 4 - Procedure/Process
• Emergency Dental Procedures
• Teething
• Section 5 -  Legislative Requirements
• Section 6 - Document Review 

Section 1 - Purpose 

(1) St Nicholas is committed to providing children with an environment that supports their health, safety, and wellbeing and promotes positive dental and oral hygiene in children, contributing to improved dental care in children. This procedure confirms our commitment to encouraging children to establish positive oral hygiene as part of a healthy lifestyle. St Nicholas aims to support families, educators and children in the prevention and management of dental issues in children through policies, practices and partnerships with the community.

(2) The Education and Care Services National Regulations (2011) require approved providers to ensure their services have policies and procedures in place in relation to the health and safety of children. This procedure needs to read in conjunction with the St Nicholas Compliance Policy.

Section 2 - Scope 

(3) This procedure applies to all St Nicholas employees and the parent/carers of children who attend the services. The St Nicholas Nutrition procedure outlines areas pertaining to food and nutrition as part of a healthy lifestyle, across all ages.

Section 3 - Responsibility 

Section 4 - Procedure/Process

Emergency Dental Procedures

First aid procedure for a knocked out or chipped primary (baby) tooth

(4) A St Nicholas educator with first aid training can:

1. Have the child bite gently on a damp wash cloth or tissue.
2. Find the tooth and pick it up by only touching the top of the crown.
3. DO NOT reinsert the tooth back into the socket.
4. Place the tooth in a glass of milk or a small amount of the child’s saliva and provide it to the parent/carer.
5. Advise the St Nicholas Nominated Supervisor/St Nicholas Responsible Person.
6. Advise the parent/carer to seek urgent medical attention.
7. Ensure an mnResponse incident report is completed within 24 hours of the incident occurring.
8. In the event where a child requires emergency medical attention, or further medical attention, the St Nicholas Nominated Supervisor or St Nicholas Responsible Person will contact their St Nicholas Area Service Manager who will provide guidance in relation to completing a report to relevant authorities.

First aid procedure for a knocked out or chipped adult tooth

(5) A St Nicholas educator with first aid training can:

1. Have the child bite gently on a damp wash cloth or tissue.
2. Find the tooth and pick it up by only touching the top of the crown.
3. If possible, gently place the tooth back in the child’s mouth, after rinsing with mild (or cold water if milk is unavailable) making sure it’s facing the correct direction and have them gently bite down on a clean cloth.
4. If you cannot put the child’s tooth back in their mouth, place the tooth in a glass of milk or a small amount of the child’s saliva and provide it to the parent/carer.
5. Advise the St Nicholas Nominated Supervisor or St Nicholas Responsible Person.
6. Advise the parent/carer to seek urgent medical attention.
7. Ensure an mnResponse incident report is completed within 24 hours of the incident occurring.
8. In the event where a child requires emergency medical attention, or further medical attention, St Nicholas Nominated Supervisor or St Nicholas Responsible Person will contact their St Nicholas Area Service Manager who will provide guidance in relation to completing a report to relevant authorities.

Teething

(6) Teething typically commences between four and ten months of age and is the process of when teeth erupt through the gums.

(7) Infants and young children may suffer discomfort during the teething process, which takes approximately eight days for a tooth to fully erupt. Symptoms and/or behaviours may include:

1. Babies rubbing their gums together; 
2. Flushed red cheeks;
3. Increased sucking on toys, fingers or fists;
4. Irritability;
5. Increased need for attachment;
6. Increased saliva resulting in greater dribbling; and
7. Nappy rash.

Management of teething

(8) St Nicholas educators will support babies and young children during teething by providing relief to teething symptoms/behaviours by:

1. offering a teething ring;
2. using a cold, wet washer to massage the gum area with a finger;
3. offering large, firmer finger foods if the infant has commenced solid foods and is over six months; and
4. additional comfort.

Medication for teething

(9) As per the St Nicholas Administration of Medication procedure, St Nicholas educators will administer non-prescription teething gel if the parent/carer has provided authorisation on their enrolment form, it is clearly labelled and has a valid expiration date.

(10) Administration of paracetamol for pain relief will only occur after all other relief measures have been implemented to reduce pain and discomfort for teething children. The parent/carer or authorised nominee needs to have provided authorisation on the enrolment form in addition to verbal consent to administer paracetamol, documented on the St Nicholas Paracetamol Administration Form, prior to administration. If a child is required to be medicated due to teething pain, the parent/carer will be required to collect their child in accordance with the St Nicholas Administration of Medication procedure.

Section 5 -  Legislative Requirements

Section 6 - Document Review 

(11) This policy will be reviewed when there is a legislative change, organisational change, delegations change or at least every 3 years to ensure it continues to be current and effective.