View report page

65
dental inspections. The showing of these films to small groups
of children as part of their normal education is of value. The
co-operation of teachers. Medical Officers, Health Visitors and
Clinic Nurses has been most rewarding. These are the people
in contact with the public and so have every change of spreading
the need for greater oral hygiene.
I have encouraged more dental health instruction to individual
patients at the surgeries, this takes time but the results
are usually more rewarding.
Miss Griffiths was appointed as Health Education Officer
during 1965 and part of her duties will be the organising of
Dental Health Education. Miss Griffiths has given several
talks in schools on dental care, this field of education is, I
feel, one that needs trained staff in order to put this difficult
subject over properly.
Fluoridation Fluoridation of water supplies appear to be the next major
step to be taken in the preventive field of dentistry. I hope it
will not be too many years before this is possible.
Sale of The sale of toothbrushes continued during 1965 in Dental
Toothbrushes Clinics. The toothbrushes are sold for 3d. each, i.e. cost
price plus a small handling charge.
A small pilot scheme was introduced in one of the Junior
Schools in the borough of having toothbrushes for all the
children staying to school dinners. It has been very successful
and I would like to extend this scheme to other schools when
possible."
The Ethel This school for physically handicapped pupils was opened
Davis School in January 1964 and incorporates the old Benton School and
Cerebral Palsy Unit.
In addition to suitable education these pupils receive
comprehensive treatment. A consultant orthopaedic surgeoD
pays a weekly visit to the school and a School Medical Officer
who makes two visits weekly is Medical Officer in Charge. The
medical auxiliaries comprise 2 physiotherapists, an Occupational
Therapist, a Speech Therapist and 2 nurses all of whom
are attached to the Cerebral Palsy Unit.
It is appropriate under this heading that I should pay tribute
to Dr. D. M. B. Gross who retired in August 1965. Dr. Gross
had been Medical Officer in Charge since the opening of the
original Benton School and of the new school up to the time
she left. She had an intense interest in these handicapped
children and their welfare.