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have been held since September, 1967, when an average of four sessions per week
were provided. Three dental health educators specially trained to talk to mothers with
babies in arms and toddlers attend health centres on certain days. They give advice
on oral hygiene, diet, and the right age to introduce the child to dentistry without
fear.
One dental auxiliary, and two dental surgery assistants make up the team. They
are young married women who are enthusiastic, persuasive and competent.
1,448 mothers of toddlers were counselled in 149 sessions, averaging 9.7 per session
during the year.
Mothers of young children appear particularly susceptible to advice and anxious
to avoid the misuse of feeders and syrupy liquids. If necessary the children are referred
to dental clinics for full clinical examination and treatment by the dental surgeon.
The dental auxiliary is particularly competent in the treatment of very young patients.
For a few months and as an experiment, one session per week was devoted to a
group of expectant mothers. While it made them more aware of the necessity of
dental treatment for themselves, it was found that they were much more concerned
with their pregnancy and forthcoming confinement. A talk on dental health education
was given to student midwives by the dental auxiliary.
Nearly every one of the thirty-nine inspections (11,200 children) provided an
opportunity for a talk on oral hygiene, either by the dental health educator of the
Inner London Education Authority or by dental auxiliaries and student auxiliaries,
by permission of the Director of the School.
During the autumn a special campaign was launched co-ordinated with the Health
Education Section and the I.L.E.A. Eighteen junior schools were visited, several
excellent films were shown and talks were given with visual aids. It was gratifying to
find that the majority of children had not forgotten their oral hygiene drill nor Pierre
the Clown who visited the Borough in 1966.
Dental health education in secondary schools was started in a small way to give
experience for future planning as about seventy-five per cent. of the children suffer
from peridontal disease (infection of the gums).
It is the responsibility of the School Dental Service to make available annual
dental inspections to all school children in the Borough and to offer treatment to all
who need it, and whose parents sign consent forms. The demand for treatment is
steadily increasing and it has not been possible to fulfil obligations owing to shortage
of premises and staff. This is particularly apparent in the Sydenham and Forest Hill
areas, where approximately 8,000 children in twenty schools have not been inspected
since January, 1966. It is hoped to open a dental centre with two surgeries in Louise
House Health Centre, Dartmouth Road, S.E.26, and a surgery in Sedgehill Comprehensive
School in the near future.
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