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11
In more established areas a much more satisfactory balance has
now been obtained and six monthly "call ups" are now the order
of the day. Though slightly below that recorded during the previous
year, routine school inspections for the Borough as a
whole covered just under 90 per cent, of the child population
and represents a substantial attainment. Since the opening of
the Coldharbour Centre public interest in the Service has again
increased and results obtained at individual school inspections
have been generally encouraging.
In liaison with the Health Education Section attention continues
to be paid towards improving the quality of dental
instruction in Infant and Junior Departments, and securing a
fuller utilisation of existing personnel. The solution to this
and other current problems were among the subjects discussed at
a joint meeting of medical and dental staff held earlier in the
year. To stimulate interest of those Teachers working with the
younger age groups, an exhibition of "visual aids" and other
material was mounted at one of their periodic gatherings.
Experience over the whole field of this work would seem to indicate
that because of the tightness of the curriculum at more
advanced levels, the time which can in practice be made available
for non-academic study is strictly limited, and fullest
advantage must therefore be taken of the early and formative
years in Education.
During the summer a modest campaign for improved dental
health was held in the South Norwood area, supported by a visit
by the Oral Hygiene Service Van to some dozen schools. Activities
of a similar nature will, it is hoped, be possible in other
districts of the Borough during 1965.
Though there has been much genuine support for this idea,
little positive action has, unfortunately, been possible to last
year's suggestion for a special "Health" grant to assist the
regular distribution of apple "slices" at the end of school
meals, one unforesoon difficulty would appear to be considerable
price fluctuations occurring in any one season, irrespective of
the quality of the crop. As an interim measure, parents visiting
clinics are being urged to try out this simple "routine" in
their own homes, as a practical step to improved oral hygiene.
Inspections
The number of children on the register at maintained schools
within the Borough at the close of 1964 was 35,885. As the
result of illness among the dental staff rather less schools
were visited during the year.