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links established between the Health and Education Departments in this field,
and measures to ensure its continuation in 1974 were being considered.
Dental Services
The year began with an exceptionally good staffing position, but as related
by the Chief Dental Officer we finished sadly depleted. The general
trend of applications for employment by dentists has been encouraging, so
that there are reasons to think that this was only a temporary setback.
Speech Therapy
A similar position arose due to resignations for various reasons and the
number of Therapists employed at the end of the year had fallen to four. The
problem here is much more difficult as there is a national shortage. This had
been overcome by local measures which cannot be repeated at the present
time.
Infectious Diseases
There was a small outbreak of Sonne dysentery in a South Croydon school
which responded rapidly to the usual methods of control. The Committee agreed
that during their final school medical examination children should be offered
booster doses of tetanus and poliomyelitis vaccines. With the co-operation of
Head Teachers this is now being carriea out as a routine procedure.
Research
The Committee agreed that subject to the usual safeguards teaching staff
could be approached by various organisations for research projects involving
schoolchildren. These included blood biochemistry by University College
Hospital, London, at Ashburton School, a general survey of Rubella and its
connection with deafness by the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond
Street, a dental health study on fluoride mouth wash and toothpaste by Guy's
Hospital, and a survey of dental health of school children by the Department
of Education and Science. Although most of the work concerns the research
teams, these projects do require some help from the staff of schools and officers
of this Department, whose essential voluntary efforts are much appreciated.
Acknowledgments
As usual individual contributions to this report are indicated by naming
the professional officer concerned and Dr. Burrowes has assembled and commented
on the general findings. Professional work must be supported by
efficient administration, and this has been forthcoming throughout a somewhat
difficult year with unfailing courtesy and competence. It would be impossible
to discharge our duties without the help of the Chief Education Officer and
his staff, and especially Head and other teachers in all the Croydon schools.