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The talks involved practical demonstrations and audience participation
and were consolidated by films selected to suit the age group concerned.
These films were supplied by the Oral Hygiene Service and included their
new film "Johnny and the D. K. Robot". There was also a new recruiting
film "Why Dentistry" which was shown to senior Grammar School pupils.
All infants and junior children received a sample tube of toothpaste,
an "Apple Club leaflet" and an apple. Three thousand of these apples were
donated by the Fruit Producers Council. Children of all age groups took
home a consolidatory letter to their parents.
As a result of this campaign there has been a higher acceptance rate
for treatment by the School Dental Service in those schools which have
received a dental inspection since the campaign.
HEALTH EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS
Whereas some aspects of health education may be integrated in the
school curriculum, some schools take advantage of talks, courses, and
visits made available through the Department, and in this respect there is
no doubt that a talk from a specialist speaker can have considerable
impact.
An example is the Course of 13 lectures arranged by the Health
Visitors for school-leavers in secondary schools for girls—"Preparation
for Life" which, in addition to Mothercraft, covered many other aspects of
personal hygiene and community health. In another school, girls received
lectures in preparation for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award up to gold
medal standard.
Talks were also given to Biology, Pre-nursing and Social Studies
Groups in the schools—the topics covering the Department's services such
as Environmental Health, Smoking and Health, Mental Health and Home
Safety. In some cases the talks were consolidated by visits to clinics, water
purification works, farms and dairies.
The importance of keeping informed, those who come into day to
day contact with school-children who may, in turn, educate their elders
within the home, was realised, and as a contribution to educating the
educators, Harrow's domestic science teachers were invited to a symposium
on Home Safety arranged in co-operation with the London Borough of
Hillingdon. The good attendance on a Saturday revealed the great interest
of all concerned and a most successful, interesting and instructive meeting
ensued.
Routine medical and dental inspections afford an important outlet at
person to person level for the Department Staff to get across many
aspects of personal health to our school-children.