View report page

In the latter part of 1969 the establishment has increased by 1.4. full-time officers to the highest
it has been since 1965.
The continuance of this recruitment trend depends on the image the service creates. The attraction
of personnel of the right calibre depends on an adequate pay structure and the creation of a
modern concept of dental practice. This particularly relates to the Dental Surgery Assistants whose
national scale of remuneration prohibits the recruitment of young personnel.
(d) TREATMENT
In 1968, 3415 school children received treatment and 4199 courses of treatment were completed,
an increase of approximately 44% over 1965. 10,011 fillings were inserted, giving an
average of 6.7 per session compared with 4.1 in 1965.
The fact that the treatment provided is of a continuing conservative nature is indicated by the
ratio teeth filled to extracted which was 19.0:1 in permanent dentition and 3.2:1 in deciduous
dentition.
In the specialised field of orthodontics, 53 appliances were fitted and five fixed appliances. The
services of Kent County Council's orthodontist are used for two sessions a month, largely in a consultative
capacity, the dental officers carrying out the treatment prescribed.
(e) DENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
In 1965, 1966 and 1967, dental health education was limited mainly to chairside instruction.
However, this has been readily extended through 1968 and 1969 to include instruction in Infant
and Junior Schools, Maternity & Child Welfare clinics. Mothers Clubs, etc. being undertaken
entirely by the Dental Auxiliary, who is specially trained in this field. This was initiated by a
visit to 35 Infant and Junior Schools of "Pierre the Clown", arranged through the General Dental
Council, who performed to 10,500 children.
114