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with the School Dental Service is included from which it will be
seen that a good deal of attention was paid to the service during
the year, improved equipment was ordered, and the policy of
arranging for an annual dental inspection in the schools was initiated,
although a start was only possible, owing to staffing problems,
with the 5- and 6-year-olds. Mr. Webster, the Dental Adviser
to the Inner London Education Authority, has been very helpful
in advising on dental matters in the absence of a Principal Dental
Officer and I am very grateful to him for his assistance.
I should like to express my thanks to all my colleagues in the
School Health Service for their work and enterprise during the
year. I am grateful also to the Divisional Education Officer and
his staff and also the Heads of Schools in the Borough for their
continued co-operation with us in our efforts to maintain and
improve the health of the children in their schools.
Pupils on school rolls
In May, 1966, there were 45,605 pupils on the rolls of Wandsworth
schools, including primary and secondary day schools,
together with special day and boarding schools and classes for
handicapped pupils.
Medical Inspection of Schoolchildren
Routine medical examinations are performed by medical officers
working in either a full-time or part-time capacity. Whenever the
necessity arises the family doctor is consulted about the results of
the examination, and parents are invited to attend, so that anv
matters relating to the child's health mav be discussed without
delay. Much valuable information is also obtained from the school
nurses, the Care Committee workers and the teaching staff.
Immunization records receive special scrutiny and, if indicated,
the attention of the parents is directed towards completing the
immunization schedule, particularly with regard to the prevention
of diphtheria, poliomyelitis, tetanus and tuberculosis. Control of
infection and infestation is facilitated by means of the medical
inspections and the health surveys made by the school nurses.
In this respect, examination of children prior to a school journey
is of proven value. During the year no major epidemiological
investigation was required at the schools and no case of crossinfection
occurred as a sequel to holidays organized for groups
of children either in this country or abroad.
Relatively frequent medical examinations take place at the
schools for the handicapped. Specially approved medical officers
examine educationally subnormal children. Although the emphasis
rests upon the educational status of these children, any physical
abnormality is carefully assessed, for the successful treatment of
a physical defect may well enhance the child's prospects of securing
gainful employment after leaving school. Behaviour problems