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53
ORTHODONTICS AND SPECIAL SERVICES CLINIC
School dental officers and local general practitioners are able to refer
children to the Principal School Dental Officer for specialised advice or
treatment.
44 patients attended for the following reasons:-
1) Orthodontic anomalies 22
2) Extreme nervousness 16
3) Gross dental decay 5
4) Difficult extractions 1
RESEARCH
As part of a public health service it is important to carry out research
of a clinical nature. Apart from the eventual benefit to patients it helps to
attract keen young graduates to the service.
During the year investigations were initiated into:-
1) the possible harmful effects of fruit juices and vitamin supplements
on teeth, and
2) the value of wearing mouth guards during contact sports.
The Principal School Dental Officer lectured to the Public Dental Officers'
division of the Inner London Local Dental Committee on 'Practical deciduous
endontics' and, had an article, 'Injured anterior teeth in children; a preliminary
study', published in the British Dental Journal.
DENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
Much attention has been paid to this subject. A small dental exhibition
was put on at the Hackney Field Day in Clissold Park. It featured models,
posters, etc., and was visited by large numbers of the public.
A Dental Health Week was held at the Woodberry Down Comprehensive School
by kind permission of its Headmaster, Mr. D.C. Davies. A dental health exhibition
was put on in the large foyer; it was manned during breaks, lunch-time
and after school. Lectures were given each afternoon on dental health and
careers in dentistry, covering all 1,200 boys and girls.
SCHOOL TUCK SHOPS
Concern is felt that children can buy carbohydrate foods such as sweets,
cakes, biscuits and crisps from schools. It was therefore arranged that school
medical officers should make enquiries on the following points when making
routine attendances at schools:-
a) Is there a school tuck shop or any other form of shop?
b) Can pupils buy sweets, cakes, biscuits or other carbohydrates?
c) Can they obtain fresh fruit or vegetables?
The enquiries showed that 34 schools sold carbohydrate foods to children.
One sold only rolls. Some schools not only did not sell them, but also banned
children from bringing their own to school. Several infant schools took this
attitude, but the children then passed up into junior sections where they could
actually buy sweets, etc. Eight schools stated that fresh fruits or vegetables
were given with meals. One nursery school occasionally gives apples and carrots
with milk, and two sell apples; 4 others now want to sell fruit if a cheap supply
can be obtained, and enquiries about this are being made.