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35
An important step forward in trying to see more of these young
children occurred in 1969. In January a colourful three year old birthday
card was sent to all known children of this age in the Borough on their
third birthday, over 7,000 cards being sent out. These cards have a small
amount of dental health information and urges the parent to commence
dental inspection and treatment as soon as possible. If inspection and
treatment is required through the local authority a pre-paid reply cord is
attached. On receiving these cards an appointment is sent to the parent.
The percentage accepting treatment was 8%. This may not seem a very
good response but it must be realised that a higher percentage may have
gone to their general practitioner as a result of this card. Many parents
have been very pleased to be reminded in a pleasant way and are nbw
regular patients. It has also helped to bring younger or older children in
the family under dental care so the percentage is really much higher.
I would like to thank all Medical Officers, Health Visitors, Clinic
Nurses, Health Education Officer and staff for their assistance in trying
to encourage more of these under 5 year old children to be under regular
dental care.
Specialist
Clinics
Specialists clinics for orthopqedic, ophthalmic, ear nose and throat
and speech defects were held and details of attendances of all children
are shown on pages 66-71.
The two Council day nurseries, one in Ley Street and one in Goodmayes
Lane, continued to function with.little difficulty during 1969.
The heating at Ley Street Day Nursery which had, through modifications,
supplements and repairs, been nursed through the last few years
as tenderly as the children, finally succumbed at the end of 1969, and
will have to be renlaced in 1970 with a gas convector system, which can
be salvaged and re-used when the nursery is replaced in the 10-year plan.
It became evident during the year that the waiting lists for priority
places at the two nurseries showed no signs of decreasing and that
children at risk might have to wait for up to sixmonths before admission.
It was felt by the Council that the most satisfactory way of resolving
this problem and putting some 'give' into the system, would be to use
selected private nurseries and childminders in different parts of the
Borough, the parent to be assessed for responsibility to contribute to
Day
Nurseries