Children: Oral Health

Debate between Lord O'Shaughnessy and Lord Bradshaw
Monday 4th December 2017

(7 years, 10 months ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord O'Shaughnessy Portrait Lord O'Shaughnessy
- Hansard - -

Probably not by giving out lollies to say well done for coming. The noble Countess makes an important point, but some 7 million under-18s were seen by a dentist in the last year for which data is available, which is an increase on previous years, so I think that things are improving.

Lord Bradshaw Portrait Lord Bradshaw (LD)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

Will the Minister consider asking manufacturers of sugary cereals to include in the packet a free toothbrush, which would cost them very little?

Lord O'Shaughnessy Portrait Lord O'Shaughnessy
- Hansard - -

That is one idea that I will certainly take away. Some of the impact that we are having is on reformulation, which is perhaps even more preventive than putting toothbrushes in cereals. There is a plan to reduce sugar in key foods by 20% by 2020, specifically for the benefit of children.