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THAMESMEAD
In Thamesmead the residents have formed a health education group which meets once a
month. The general practitioners and health visitors are working closely with this group, and
it is hoped that when the new health centre opens next year, more support will be given to
the group from the community.
DENTAL HEALTH
Dental health education has been undertaken in close co-operation with the Chief Dental
Officer, and has included visits to schools and clinics, as will be seen in the Chief Dental Officer's
report. At the end of the year play group leaders were invited to participate in a new project
on dental health education for under fives. The dental auxiliary commenced visits to play groups
to talk to the children and their parents on this important subject; following each talk a
toothbrush, mug and toothpaste was given to each child and individual counselling for the parents
was available if required. The response to this project has been overwhelming, and next year
a programme will be planned to incorporate as many playgroups as possible into the scheme.
SMOKING AND HEALTH
Following the report of the World Health Organisation on Smoking and Health, a report
was submitted to the Health Committee who agreed that a pilot scheme be set up for an
anti-smoking clinic for council employees who were heavy smokers. This clinic commenced in
the Autumn for a period of ten weeks and has been led by one of the principal medical officers
who also smokes cigarettes. Group discussion techniques were used for the course and the majority
of participants have been able to reduce their consumption of cigarettes. An evaluation will
be undertaken when the course finishes early in the New Year.
The first six months following the establishment of the Health Education Section have
revealed the enormous potential there is for health education within the Borough. The demands
on the service have gained momentum with each passing day, and it is obvious that in the
coming year activities in the health education field will need to be extended over a wide area
to enable the general public to obtain the maximum benefit from this form of positive health.
Summary of sessions

* Figures for six months only.
63