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Participation by local schools was a feature of the campaign. Amusing
and eye-catching material painted by schoolchildren was, displayed at the
Violet Melchett health centre. Daring two weeks of the exhibitions,
1,130 children and 400 adults were shown around.
Sixteen primary schools were visited during the campaign by
Mrs. Thomas and talks in four other primary schools were given by
Miss Doreen Land of the oral hygiene service. Posters were displayed at
prominent sites throughout the borough and large numbers of leaflets were
distributed. The principal dental officer talked to the mothers club at
the Raymede welfare centre, and talks were given by health visitors to other
mothers' clubs.
The purpose of health education is to impart information meaningfully
to the widest audience, to bring about a positive change of attitude to
health, and to change living habits in accordance with this change in
attitude. Evaluation of the success of the campaign is difficult, but the
first of these objectives was undoubtedly fulfilled. The campaign should
be regarded as representing a peak in a continuous and sustained effort to
bring about a measurable improvement in dental health. To this end,
regular follow-up visits to schools by Mrs. Thomas continued throughout
the year. Since September, 1967, most primary schools in the borough have
received at least one talk on dental health from either Mrs. Thomas,
Miss Land or Pierre the Clown.
HOME SAFETY.
Exhibitions had for the past three years been held each November at
one of the Council's North Kensington welfare centres as part of the
important task of drawing public attention to the importance of preventing
accidents in the home. Emphasis has always been placed on fire hazards
and the dangers that can arise from misuse of oil heaters. Experience
has, however, shown that the number of persons who attend local
exhibitions is relatively small. It is recognised, moreover, that the
Council cannot hope to compete with the challenge of modern mass
publicity media.
A different approach was therefore devised in the hope that the
campaign's message would be more widely dispersed in that part of the
borough where it is most needed. Through the co-operation of the
manager, the foyer of the Royalty Bingo Hall in Lancaster Road, W. 11.,
was made available for an exhibition stand during the period 11th to 15th
November, 1968, and this stand was attended by health visitors who
answered questions and distributed literature while patrons were entering
for the afternoon and evening bingo sessions. Similar, but smaller,
stands were arranged at each of the welfare centres and these were
visited by parties of pupils from local schools. Members of the public
expressed interest, but, as always, it is impossible to assess the true
impression made and the degree to which careless habits have been
changed by the Council's efforts.
Home Accidents sustained by Children.
An informal scheme commenced on 1st October, 1968, whereby the
majority of hospitals serving the borough agreed to inform the Council
of all cases of children admitted or treated following accidents in the
home. Its value has quickly become apparent in that it frequently
identifies high risk homes or families and enables health visitors to
pay follow-up visits to advise on how best to guard against further
accidents.
This scheme was in operation for only the final quarter of the year,
and during that period enabled more intensive follow-up care to be