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Our auxiliary (Mrs, Purnell) is exceptionally good in this sphere and particularly
with small children.
She has also made many posters on toothbrushing and diet for waiting room display
For several years now special efforts have been made by schools to sell from their
tuck shops only those items known not to be detrimental to teeth such as raisins, nuts,
fresh fruit and in some instances raw carrots and during 1964 toothbrushes were sold
at cost price to the children attending for dental treatment
These have proved very popular. At first the dental officer recommended a purchase
but many children now voluntarily seek replacements
It is sad to have to report that we do not appear to be much nearer fluoridation
of water in the London Area, but a few conclusions on fluoridation from the last issue
of the "Health of the School Child" 1962, 1963 page 111 are worth consideration.
They are as follows:-
1. Five years of fluoridation at one part per million in three study areas
has brought about in each a substantial improvement in the teeth of young
children.
2. The results of fluoridation obtained so far are in line with American
experience.
3. No evidence of harm from fluoridation has been discerned despite continuous
vigilance.
4. The addition of fluoride to water supplies at a specified level has presented
no technical difficulties
In addition to those children who have attended for periodic re-examination or
have been referred by Medical Officers, headteachers or private doctors, a large number
attended as a result of routine dental inspection in the schools.
All but five of the schools in the area received a routine dental examination
during the year, and of the five that did not, three of them had been inspected in
December 1963 - one month before the period covered by this report - and some of the
resulting treatment done during that month and the rest during the year under review.
The arrangements made some years ago with the North East Metropolitan Regional
Hospital Board for the services of its Orthodontic Consultant (Mr. Willcocks) to be
available to the School Dental Officers in this Area continue to be widely used both
for advice or actual treatment at Whipps Cross Hospital.
DENTAL INSPECTION AND TREATMENT
Sessions (equivalent half-days) No.
School dentdl inspections 76
School dental treatment (excluding orthodontic 1,724
School dental orthodontic treatment 95
Administration (Area Dental Officer) 53
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