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155
EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN
Under Section 59 of the Education Act 1944, education authorities
are empowered to prohibit or restrict the employment of a child if they
consider it would be prejudical to his health or otherwise render him
unfit to obtain the full benefit of the education provided for him.
All children must, therefore, be medically examined before taking up
employment.
Number of children examined and found fit for employment
during 1967 417
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL SCHOOL DENTAL OFFICER
The year 1967 was one of steady progress. We were fortunate in
being able to replace part-time dental officers who left without any unduly
long break. The orthodontic situation was eased when the orthodontist
appointed at the end of the previous year commenced work in January.
The dental surgery assistant position was made rather difficult by two
unfortunate absences due to sickness—one of seven months duration and
the other of two months. I am pleased to say that these two valued members
of the staff returned to duty fully restored to health. The importance
of dental surgery assistants of the right calibre cannot be over-stressed.
Efficient chair-side assistance and day to day running of a clinic enables a
dental officer to do his best work.
Dental Health Education
In last year's report mention was made of a pilot dental health
campaign in schools. As a result of the success of this, a similar campaign
was carried out this year for schools mainly in the South Harrow area,
involving some 6,000 children of all age groups in 18 school departments,
including a nursery school and a junior training school for mentally
subnormal children as part of their social training. As before we were
grateful for the co-operation of the Oral Hygience Service with demonstration
talks, also for films and the donation of tooth cleaning packs for
all junior children. Dental clinic staff took an active part in the demonstrations
and student oral hygienists, some of whom participated, were
invited to observe the campaign as part of their training. Once again a
generous supply of apples was donated by the Fruit Producers Council.
An example of the interest stimulated was the choice of "Dental
Hygiene" as the theme of an excellent playlet written and produced by
children of Roxeth Manor Junior School at their end-of-term concert.
Thanks are due to the Health Education Officer, Mr. D. J. Anderton,
for his part in the organisation of the campaign.
Radiological Protection
During the year, in accordance with Government regulations, an
inspection of clinics possessing X-ray facilities was carried out by Mr.
D. E. A. Jones, B.Sc., Chief Physicist of Mount Vernon Hospital, in his
capacity of Radiological Protection Adviser. The report was satisfactory
and some useful ad vice was obtained from him inconnection with X-ray work.