The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-04-29

ANGSAA8oNeNANAAo health of local school children Is carefully guarded by school authori- ties here is hown in the follow ing report on health supervision made today by Supt. of Schools Har- old E. Chittenden.
 Most residents do not realize the extent of the health service here. The report, made in connection with Child Health Week which starts Monday, follows:
 Medical Inspection of Schools, or what is perhaps g better term Health Supervision of School Chil- dren-began in France about the middle of the last. century, and spread rapidly in all enlightened countries, as people more and more came to realize that the welfare of the children meant the welfare of the nation.
 Since its introduction into the United States in 1894, many states have passed laws making medical inspection of schools statewide in its application, and 1t is probably on to some extent in all states, even though there Is no compulsory law.
 School nursing in Naugatuck is the natural outgrowth of this med- ical inspection of school children which has resulted in general pro- gram of health work in all schools both public and parochial. In- troduced in Naugatuck Dec. l, 1919. This is the 20th year.
 At intervals during the school year the nurse assisting the school physician examines each class to discover symptoms of infectious diseases 50 that the entire school which is really a community in it. self may be protected. Glass room and individual conferences, as well as home visits, are part of the nurses program throughout the school year.
 Minor cuts and bruises are pain- ful and may become serious if neg lected. The school nurse attends to such hurts and advises the pupils when and how to seek medical aid.
 Eye Care
 The care of the eyes is vitally im- portant and receives considerable aS- tention in the school health pro- gram. Each pupil is given an eye test each year by the classroom teacher and each case of defective vision is given particular follow up attention. Naugatuck Is fortunate in having an eye clinic sponsored once year by the local Red Cross Chap ter and to this clinic are referred cases which might otherwise receive no corrective attention.
 The health program includes in- struction in the need for variety in the diet because well balanced foods promote the health of children. For almost twenty years, the serving of milk to large numbers of children each day has been an important health activity. For several years this has been carried on as an all year affair, arrangements being made, 50 that certain pupils are served milk at school buildings dur ing the summer vacation.
 To further promote the health of the school children the Board of Education introduced program of dental hygiene in the public schools of Naugatuck in December, 1927.
 The purpose of introducing Den- tai Health Education into the schools Is to impress upon the chil- dren, early in life, the importance of having good teeth, and how to care for them.
 Since it is a proven fact, that the condition of the teeth bears a close relationship to the general health, a higher standard of health may be attained among school children where dental health is encouraged.
 Dental Program
 While there are variations in the program of dental hygiene from year to year, a general outline fol- lows:
 An examination of the mouth Of each pupil in all grades from the first to the eighth, inclusive, is made by the dental hygienist at the begin ming of each school year, at which time a note is sent to parents ad- vising further examinations by their family dentist. Toothbrush drills, demonstrating the proper use of the toothbrush, proper diet and import ance of frequent visits to the dentist, are given in all grades.
 Prophylactic treatments, which consist of a thorough cleansing and polishing of all surfaces of the teeth, are given once a year to pupils in the first, third and fifth grades. A file containing the dental records of these children is kept in each school.
 Dental health posters are made by the children from time to time and last year placards were made with mirrors attached and slogans in cut-letters: People Look At Your Teeth-Do You?" decorated each. These placards were placed in all classrooms to be used as daily reminders.
 A Dental Honor Roll System. in use since 1880 has been most effec- tive. Children who have had all den.