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The Health Education Programme for School children were held at five
centres during August. Changes in the films, group activities and competitions,
were made each week. The total number of children that attended was 1130.
Much of the individual work produced by the children was of a high standard.
Report of the Principal School Dental Officer 1970
During 1970 as part of the increased volume of school dental inspections
a large number of secondary school children were seen. It is interesting to
observe that the percentage of these older children who required dental treatment
(42%) was less than for school children in the Borough as a whole (53%). This
tendency increased with age and it was noted that in the sixth forms and upper
forms of secondary schools the numbers in need of dental treatment had fallen
considerably. The majority of secondary school children now appear to have
regular dental treatment. Many of them avail of the facilities provided by the
General Dental Services and have become regular attenders at their family
dentist. There is no doubt that quite a few of these children have their introduction
to dentistry in our school clinics and from this the habit of continuing
dental care is established.
The only point on which there may be some doubt is that some of them
showed lack of care in oral hygiene. To these children the importance of frequent
tooth brushing had not been conveyed as clearly as the importance of
regular visits to the dentists. It would indicate therefore the value of dental
health education and the teaching of methods of preventive dentistry in secondary
schools.
If the level of oral hygiene can be brought to the same standard as the
restoration of cavities in teeth, there is every hope that children will leave
school in increasing numbers with their mouths in good condition and free of any
dental defects.
Inspection and Treatment
A total of 25,000 children were inspected at school and in all 58% of the
school roll received dental inspection either at school or at the clinic. This was
the highest figure attained since the resumption of annual school inspections in
1966. The trend towards less treatment being necessary continued. The percentage
of those needing treatment was again lower than in the previous year.
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