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hygiene kit consisting of a beaker, toothbrush and toothpaste,
together with a letter to the parents from the Chief Dental Officer.
The teaching staff at each school were encouraged to follow-up
this session by introducing dental health projects into the classroom
during the year. In this way it is hoped to maintain the early
enthusiasm generated by these visits.
Efforts made by the dental staff during their school visits to
discourage the practice of allowing children to bring sweetstuffs
into school have met with some degree of success from headteachers.
It is evident from school inspections that where there
is a restriction imposed by the school then this is reflected in a
better standard of dental health among its pupils.
In addition, a valuable contribution to dental health continues to
be made by health visitors and ancillary staff in their visits to
schools and homes and at classes held in clinics.
Premises
The Departmental official letter drew attention to the substandard
facilities at the Rainham and Romford clinics, and it is encouraging
to report that plans for improving the accommodation at
Rainham clinic have been included in the Capital Building Programme
for 1974/5.
Training
In October a member of the full-time staff commenced the course
in London for the Diploma in Dental Public Health, and the
training and knowledge received should prove of great value to
the dental service in the future.
Mr. Wright continued as lecturer for the Dental Surgery Assistants
evening courses held at the Havering Technical College. As a
result of this local facility which began in 1966, all but two of
the dental surgery assistants currently employed by the Borough
have now obtained the National Certificate of Dental Surgery
Assistants. This necessary training enables them to contribute
their full share in the satisfactory running of the dental service.
Priority Dental Service
The service provided for the under fives received commendation
in the official letter from the Government Departments. It was
described as "in all respects above average and deserves every
encouragement". The number of pre-school children inspected and
treated has increased each year and it is pleasing to record a
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