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'We are very worried about the state of Shoreditch mothers' and
children's teeth. No one can be really healthy without sound teeth. It
has been proved that a great many children enter school with bad teeth
and have to be treated by the School Dentist.
'Do come to the Model Welfare Centre, 210, Kingsland Road, on
of this/next week, between 10 and 12 a.m. to have your own and
your children's teeth looked at. A qualified lady Dental Nurse will be
at the Centre then and will give you advice about dental care.
"'Your good resolution for the New Year should be: Take sure
way to good health by caring for the teeth. Do not disappoint us. We
shall be waiting for you at the Centre.'
"An average of about six mothers are attending as a result of this letter,
and I am now finding those who have definitely carious teeth. This plan
seems more successful.
"Early in the New Year it is intended to start a teeth cleaning class for
some of the toddlers who come to the Model Welfare Centre in Kingsland
Road. The children who attend will learn how to clean their teeth properly
and to do it regularly. It is hoped that this will be of benefit to those who
cannot clean their teeth at home.
"It is possible to obtain lantern slides and films, and I hope to give a
series of lantern lectures to the mothers and children on various subjects
connected with the care of the teeth."
The introduction of a dental hygienist made evident the necessity of
defining precisely the duties of the two trained nurses who were already
giving certain general assistance to the dental surgeon. Application was
accordingly made to the Ministry of Health with the object of securing the
necessary approval under the Dentists' Act, 1921, to these two nurses carrying
out certain minor oral duties under supervision. At the time of writing
this matter is still the subject of correspondence with the Ministry, and a
final decision of these duties has not yet been made. From replies already
received, however, it is clear that permission for these nurses to give attention
to septic sockets and to take steps to avert hasmorrhage will not be given.
With the object of treating young adolescents the importance of continuing
the care of their teeth when they leave school, the Health Committee
authorized an arrangement whereby special cards were printed and sent to
the School Divisional Medical Officer for distribution to Shoreditch children
on leaving school. This card is as follows :—
"Shoreditch Borough Council."
The Care of the Teeth.
"To children leaving school.
"While you have been at school your teeth have been looked after for
you. Now that you are leaving school you must make your own arrangements.
Unless you do so, it is likely that your teeth will decay and your
general health suffer.