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Talks on dental health are given to student midwives, once every term and to
mothers clubs by Mrs. P. Munday, Dental Auxiliary.
Dental Health Education at Schools
This continues at schools and at the chairside on traditional lines.
In November a novel puppet-show dental health campaign was launched which
proved to be a "spectacular hit". It was created, organised and executed by two dental
auxiliaries, Mrs. P. Munday, a member of the London Borough of Lewisham dental
staff, and Mrs. J. Thomas, dental health educator for the Inner London Education
Authority.
Under the stimulating enthusiasm of these two puppeteers, a campaign was
launched in the nursery and infants departments of the schools of the Borough, and,
in all, 46 schools were visited and 9,653 children watched the 80 performances.
All the necessary equipment was carried in the I.L.E.A. van, all the driving being done
by Mrs. Thomas. On occasions when two schools were programmed in one morning
or afternoon, help was given by the Health Education section in assembling and
dismantling the puppet theatre with great speed.
The official opening took place after one weeks run on 11th November at Adamsrill
Infants' School, Sydenham, by kind invitation of Mrs. N. G. Piper, the Headmistress
and her staff. Publicity was arranged by the I.L.E.A.
Special guests at the opening were the Mayoress, Mrs. Combes, Councillor Mrs.
New, Chairman of the Health Committee, Mr. K. C. B. Webster, Dental Adviser,
I.L.E.A. and Mrs. E. Spackman for the General Dental Council. Later performances
were seen by Admiral W. Holgate, Chief Dental Officer, Mr. J. Rodgers, Senior Dental
Officer of the Department of Health and Social Security, and Mr. Colin Davis,
Director of Oral Hygiene.
The children enjoyed the show tremendously, participating in the story of horrible
Jimmy Germ tempting sweet-loving Paul Molar in the disguise of a sweet, a lolly,
and a cake with very sad results. Peter Molar knew better and when he simply
couldn't resist eating a delicious cake he called on all his friends for help, Mr. Giant
Toothbrush, Mrs. Toothpaste, Katy Carrot, Andrew Apple and last but not least,
bespectacled, kind, Mr. Dentist.
The majority of children got the message. Their appreciation was shown by their
charming letters, amusing drawings and funny coloured posters of Jimmy Germ,
their favourite character.
The heads of all schools were most co-operative, and all arrangements went according
to plan.
Comments were most favourable about this new and entertaining approach to
the ever present problem of dental health education. It gave the staff much food for
thought in following up.
The campaign will be resumed later in January, 1969 when 14 more schools will
be visited including some junior mixed departments for their first year pupils.
It is hoped that a repeat programme will be arranged by the Chief Dental Officer
in the autumn term of 1969.
Since inspections of secondary school children have commenced, concentrating on
first and second year pupils, one significant fact has emerged. The great majority of
these children have had inspections in their infant and junior mixed schools, but a
hard core of approximately 20% received no treatment whatsoever, although parents
opted for their family dentists. Several random enquiries were made, children either
never attended or paid an occasional emergency visit. There is a special Inner London
Education form SDS 12 which some parents have now received more than once, but
they take no notice. It appears that no representation can be made to force them;
one has the impression that they are unaware that their children aged 12, have
permanent teeth only, the children themselves don't know either.
In conclusion it should be repeated that obligation to carry out dental inspections
cannot be fulfilled until more premises and staff are available. Inspections have
increased by 18.7% due to the opening of Sedgehill surgery and the use of the caravan.
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