School could be banned from holding charity cake sales under plans to make schools sugar-free zones

SCHOOLS could be banned from holding charity cake sales under radical plans aimed at tackling tooth decay in kids.

Dental surgeons are demanding the only sugars allowed on site will be the naturally occurring ones found in fruit and veg.

The sugar-free rule would mean school canteens being banned from serving desserts while pupils would no longer be able to buy chocolate and sweets at tuck shops.

The rules have been drawn up by the Faculty of Dental Surgery (FDS) at the Royal College of Surgeons, which also wants new guidelines on healthy packed lunches.

Regulations could see teachers checking pupils’ lunch boxes and confiscating sugary treats such as Mr Kipling cake slices and fizzy pop.

FDS chiefs are backing a government green paper, too, that wants teachers to help kids brush their teeth.

Dentists say decay is almost entirely preventable if kids eat less sugar, brush twice daily and have yearly check-ups.

But between April 2015 and March 2018 there were 102,633 hospital admissions due to tooth decay in kids under ten.

DECAY FEARS

Around 23 per cent of five-year-olds in England have visible decay.

The FDS says as well as being painful it can impact on children’s ability to sleep, socialise and concentrate in class.

They may also need time off school to have teeth extracted under risky general anaesthetic.

The FDS’s Prof Michael Escudier said: “The scourge of child dental decay cannot be allowed to continue.

“We would like to see the Government encourage all schools to become sugar free.”

The plans were backed by Lib Dem health spokeswoman Judith Jolly who said: “It would not be difficult for schools to change out fizzy drinks for water or bananas for biscuits.”

Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Judith Jolly said: “With a bit more encouragement and support, it would not be difficult for schools to change out fizzy drinks for water, or bananas instead of biscuits.

“With healthier diets, exam results will improve, tooth decay will decline and slowly but surely, we will secure a healthier future for our entire community.”

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