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12
SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE
P. G. Oliver Esq., L. D. S., Principal School Dental Officer:-
This Service provides routine inspection and treatment for
those attending Borough Primary, Secondary, Technical and 3>ecial
Schools. A limited number of children from "grant aided" schools
approved by the local Education Committee are also eligible for
treatment. In conjunction with the above Service facilities are
also provided for those referred under Health, Maternity Welfare
and Mental Deficiency Schemes. Particulars of work carried out
in connection with the above will be found in the appropriate
Report.
Introduction
During the year efforts have been continued to bring to the
attention of parents and teachers the worsening condition of
children's teeth and the need for active co-operation of all
concerned to reverse the present trend. Experience from early
studies has shown that much of the present parental apathy is
due to lack of basic knowledge regarding the immediate causes of
dental decay and failure to appreciate the importance of other
contributory factors, such as regular meals, sufficient hours of
sleep for the young, as well as the granting of undue spending
allowances, all of which it should be within their power to
control. To this can be added the general hypnotic effect of
certain mass media associated with commercial advertising to
boost the sales of products of doubtful dietetic value. Given
this background the task of changing the existing outlook on
dental matters is likely to be considerable, and calls for
concerted action at both local and national levels.
As a practical move Dental Clinic staff will in future place
special emphasis on measures to promote "improved Methods of
Tooth Cleaning", "Systematic Oral Hygiene" and in drawing
attention to "Pitfalls of Modern Diet". Whilst continuing to
meet essential clinical needs it is felt that a direct approach
from the Dentist would do much to stimulate a desire for "selfhelp"
among patients, which could in time exert a growing influence
on contacts in every day life.
As a further step a constructive programme for Dental Health
Instruction, Demonstrations and Films has been drawn up f°r
Corporation Schools; material for such programmes will be carefully
selected, allowing a colourful approach for younger age
groups and a more scientific bias in the case of senior
departments.