The dental health campaign was launched to all Primary One to Three classes in 1969 as part of the Ministry of Health's efforts to raise dental health standards in Singapore. Led by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, the programme comprised compulsory toothbrushing during recess or at any convenient time, as well as lessons on proper tooth-brushing techniques and dental care. As part of the drive, each child was supplied with a toothbrush and plastic mug for a fee of 25 cents a set. In all, 367,000 children from 439 schools participated in the campaign between 1969-1970. Following the success of the campaign, the programme was extended to all kindergartens in 1973.
Background
During the 1960s, dental hygiene standards were poor as evidenced in the teeth of National Service enlistees. It was reported that half of the population did not know how to brush their teeth properly, and that half of all schoolchildren did not own toothbrushes. For those who did own toothbrushes, they were not brushing regularly or correctly. To get the population to develop good dental hygiene habits from young, dental care education was introduced to schools. In 1968, a pilot scheme involving ten primary schools was carried out. Following its success, the campaign was implemented in all primary schools in February 1969. Singapore was then the first country in the region to carry out a dental education programme of such a scale.
The dental health programme for schools comprised compulsory toothbrushing for all primary one to three classes during recess or any convenient time. Proper toothbrushing techniques and dental care were also taught as part of the school curriculum. To prepare teachers to instruct students on proper toothbrushing techniques through the use of visual aids supplied by the Dental Unit, and to supervise the toothbrushing drills correctly, some 2680 teacher received training from the Dental Health Education Unit. Each child was also supplied with a toothbrush and plastic mug with a cover of an approved design for 25 cents a set. Between 1969 to 1970, 367,735 children from 439 primary schools participated in the toothbrushing drills, and an estimated 1.5 million toothbrushes were sold.
Dental Health Week
The Dental Branch also launched an annual Dental Health Week in 1969 to promote dental care and prevention against cavities. Some of the activities organised include dental care exhibitions, poster competitions, and contests for young people with the best teeth. Divided into primary and secondary school categories, the winning boy and girl received the titles of Mr. and Miss Dental Health respectively. A contest for the teacher with the best toothbrushing drills was also held.
Following the success of the programme, toothbrushing drills were implemented in all kindergartens in 1973.
Author
Joshua Chia Yeong Jia
References
(1971, May 17). Dental education soon for infant schools. New Nation. Retrieved September 3, 2007, from PRECIS.
(1971, July 7). Week will highlight the care of teeth. New Nation. Retrieved September 3, 2007, from PRECIS.
(1971, July 12). Tooth decay reduced in students. New Nation. Retrieved September 3, 2007, from PRECIS.
Ministry of Culture (1968). Singapore 1968 (p. 324). [Microfilm: NL 6554] Singapore: Govt. Print. Off.
Ministry of Culture (1969). Singapore 1969 (p. 220). [Microfilm: NL 11907] Singapore: Govt. Print. Off.
National Archives of Singapore (1972, May 8). Speech by Mr. Chua Sian Chin Minister For Health at the opening of the Dental Health Exhibition at the Victoria Memorial Hall on Monday 8 May 1972 at 1000 hours. Retrieved September 13, 2007, from http://stars.nhb.gov.sg/stars/public/
National Archives of Singapore (1973, August 27). Speech by Mr Chua Sian Chin, Minister for Health and Home Affairs at the opening of the Dental Health Exhibition at the People's Park Complex on Monday, 27 August 1973 at 1030 hours. Retrieved September 13, 2007, from http://stars.nhb.gov.sg/stars/public/
The information in this article is valid as at 2007 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.
