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13
Pressure has been maintained on Departments where certain
"Tuck &op" sales have continued to give cause for alarm. In
this connection practical guidance has been offered by visiting
Health Education staff, and there are signs in many quarters of
an increasing awareness of existing hazards, resulting in the
exclusion of more injurious "confections".
Whilst this is encouraging it should be stressed that to
secure a permanent improvement in the dental "climate" at
schools, fuller participation is urged on the part of teaching
staff, particularly those concerned with Community Health
Programmes.
In the realm of the pre-school child valuable assistance has
been forthcoming from Health Visitors by the inclusion of Talks
and Discussions with parents during Infant and "toddler sessions,
at various welfare Centres. Innovations of this kind, supported
fay topical exhibits and other visual means, have been well received
and could with advantage be extended to Mothers Clubs and
also to church and other social gatherings. As with all activities
of this kind, however, specialised staff training
represents a particular problem.
A novel attempt to catch the eye of those entering upon
adult status was staged in the Autumn as part of an exhibit
specially designed for the "Welcome to Citizenship" celebration.
In relation to the day to day working of the School Service
attention has been given to a general up-grading of older clinic
buildings, by improving staff amenities and providing extra
comfort in existing waiting rooms. To meet a universal demand
additional turbine type "drills" have been installed in certain
major centres.
Dissatisfaction continues to be expressed by mothers of
small children from the south Croydon area at the travelling
time involved in journeying to Lodge Road Clinic. Fortunately,
substantial progress can be reported in connection with the
scheme for a combined welfare and Dental Centre planned for the
Coldharbour Site, and it is hoped that active construction will
commence during the early part of the coming Summer.
Current returns for the School Dental Service show an increase
in the number of Departments inspected, as well as an improved
turn round of treatment. In general the position is substantially
brighter, and provided existing levels of staff can
be maintained, the requirement whereby all those entering the
scheme receive the requisite annual treatment may soon become a
Practical reality.