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collection that in many cases they could not be persuaded to give up their cards. In many
cases, the loss of the cards for one reason or another was a difficult feature to control.
In these circumstances, and at the request of many children and their parents, dental
surgeons operating the scheme and many of the school teachers involved, Dental Health
Stamps will be reintroduced during 1968 in a modified form Collection will in future
take place on wall charts to be made available in school. It is hoped that the advantages
of this alternative method of collection will meet the criticism of the original
system and provide a competitive element which did not exist in the previous campaign.
The basic enthusiasm for the scheme certainly warrants its forthcoming development,
Routine Dental Health Education was continued during the year by our one Dental
Auxiliary who spent all her time in the schools teaching the children in class. Every
primary school in the Borough was visited at least twice during the year and her
considerable efforts have brought a tangible reward. The use of a Dental Auxiliary at
the time of a school dental inspection was tried during the latter part of the year.
As each class completed their dental inspection, the Auxiliary would go back to the
classroom with them and discuss the Dental Officer's findings generally and then
individually with the worst dental offenders This experiment will be developed further
during 1968
A float depicting "Healthy Teeth for Tower Hamlets" was entered in the Borough's
annual carnival, achieving considerable publicity during this event
Teaching material relating to dental matters was supplied to science departments of
some local secondary schools during the year. The development of dental teaching kits
for biology classes, which could instruct and inform senior pupils in secondary schools
and being available on demand, will continue in 1968 This project can also be combined
with "Careers in Dentistry" talks and displays at school Careers Conventions, several of
which were produced during the year
The plans for a Dental Health Education Centre and a permanent Dental Health
Exhibition and lecture theatre at Ida Samuel Clinic in Underwood Road are well advanced
but current financial restrictions prevent them being developed fully during the coming
year It is hoped, however, to proceed with all the plans, which will then be available
for implementation as soon as financial provision can be made, The Centre has been
planned for children from secondary schools attending for half a day during their second
or third school year. The Centre would also be available as a lecture theatre for health
education talks, etc., at other times
STAFF
At December 31, 1967, the professional staff consisted of the Principal School
Dental Officer, three full-time Dental Officers and nine part-time Dental Officers,
together providing a whole time equivalent of 8.6, (compared with 6.5 at December, 1966).
These Dental Officers were aided by one Dental Auxiliary The professional staff were
ably assisted by eight full-time Surgery Assistants and one full-time clerk. The number
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