Leading dentists have called for all sugary drinks, including energy drinks, to be banned from schools to try and prevent or reduce tooth decay; a condition that affects around a quarter of children of school age. Crisps, sweets, and fizzy drinks have already been removed from schools run by the council but energy drinks have only been banned by two schools in the north of England so far, according to information from the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF).
Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the BDHF said that sugary drinks were responsible for large amounts of dental decay among children. He called the changes at some schools ‘refreshing’ and added that ‘proposals such as the introduction of a duty on sugary drinks and brands reducing the amount of sugar in their soft drinks have both been mooted in the last twelve months. If we can build on these foundations, there will be an inevitable reduction in consumption and benefits for both general and dental health.’
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said that a review was currently being undertaken, designed to create ‘revised school food standards to make sure children are always served healthy, nutritional meals at school.’