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HEALTH EDUCATION
Talks on health subjects were given to many organisations
in the Borough by members of the staff of the Department including
Medical Officers, Health Visitors, Chiropodists, Public Health
Inspectors, Social Workers and Health Education staff. The Health
Visitors also gave series of talks in various schools when
requested. The Health Education staff undertook a programme
throughout the nursery schools and play groups, and also the
infants' schools on dental hygiene. The programme for the infants'
schools included the showing of two films, a demonstration of the
correct method of cleaning teeth, all emphasizing the necessity
to clean teeth after breakfast and last thing at night. Each child
was given a dental hygiene kit consisting of a toothbrush, toothpaste
and beaker with a letter to the parents from the Chief
Dental Officer. A rhyme was stamped on the beaker reminding
the children to clean their teeth after breakfast and last thing at
night. This programme was designed to get children into the habit
of cleaning their teeth regularly at an early age in the hope that
having started they would continue.This project was well received
and in fact every infants' and primary school in the Borough
replied to the circular outlining the scheme, so that all schools
were included.lt is nowthe intention to undertake this programme
for the 5 year old pupils each year.
Another project undertaken in schools by the Health Education
staff was connected with the care of the feet. This was
mainly for girls in junior schools and here again the programme
was well received.
Health Education material such as films, film slides,
flannel graphs, etc. were also made available to all schools,
youth clubs and other establishments upon request for use in connection
with Health Education and allied subjects by teachers.
Over 400 such items were loaned during the year and the total
number of adults, school children and pre-school children who
were present at talks, film shows, etc. given by staff of this
Department throughout the year was over 14,000.
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