Dental News - Caries risk: Australian schools ban Christmas candy canes

Dental Tribune International

Wed. 24. December 2014

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BURPENGARY, Australia: Students in Queensland, Australia, have been warned not to bring Christmas candy canes to school. The red-and-white sweet treats were banned from at least half a dozen Queensland schools in an attempt to avoid sugar highs. The Australian Dental Association also warns against the popular sweets that can have a significant negative impact on oral health.

According to the The Courier-Mail, the principal of Burpengary State School, Bradley Fox, said the school had been accused of being a “Christmas Grinch” because of the ban. However, he is adamant that the lollies are unacceptable Christmas gifts.

“While our school works really hard to positively role model and promote healthy eating, the tradition of children exchanging candy canes at this time of year undermines all of that work,” he told the newspaper. “As a community, we believe it is necessary to examine and challenge the hidden messages we send out to children at Christmas.”

Fox estimated that there would be 25,000 candy canes—with all their associated sugar, preservatives and colouring—circulating at the school at Christmas time. He said that students should instead exchange harmless and inexpensive gifts, such as pencils or handmade cards.

Chairman of the Australian Dental Association’s Oral Health Committee, Dr Peter Alldritt, is also concerned about the impact of candy canes. “They are even worse than lollies or candies, as the kids hold them in their mouth for a long period of time. It’s bathing your teeth in sugar and acid,” Alldritt told the newspaper.

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