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British Dental Association board chair calls for universal free school meals

1st Aug 2024 - 07:00
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British Dental Association board chair calls for universal free school meals
Abstract
Eddie Crouch, board chair of the British Dental Association, attended the recent No Child left Behind protest in Parliament Square where he called for the new Labour Government to implement universal free school meals.

No Child Left Behind is a national campaign urging the Government to ensure every child has the basics to learn and thrive by receiving a hot, healthy and nutritious school meal every day.

Crouch commented: “No child should ever go hungry in school. It is an argument that has brought us together with teachers and politicians to support the Free School Meals for all Campaign. We’ve joined forces to take the message to Parliament, because the evidence is crystal clear: free school meals help get children into the habit of healthy eating. There are gains for oral and general health, and now is the time for Government to act.

“Diet-related diseases are now costing the NHS billions every year - from malnutrition to diabetes - bad food fuels conditions that last a lifetime. We see it every day in our practices. We know that the number one reason for hospital admissions in kids under ten isn’t broken bones or tonsillectomies - it’s tooth decay.

“Every year tens of thousands of young children face getting multiple teeth removed. And the sad fact is that this is almost all entirely preventable. It’s a condition that comes at a cost, in pain, sleepless nights, and a multimillion-pound bill to our NHS. Free school meals for all is simple and achievable. It’s a policy that will make a dramatic difference to the health and wellbeing of generations to come. Together, we can make it happen.”

Written by
Edward Waddell