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156
to care for the entire school population of over 26,000 children.
At present this is equivalent to some 5,200 per dental officer.
Recent increases in the acceptance rate, now approximately 73
per cent., plus the introduction of routine inspections for Grammar
and Technical schools, have greatly broadened the scope of treatment
and have thus rendered the old establishment inadequate.
If, to suit future needs, the more up to date figure of 3,500
per dentist is substituted it will be seen that a considerable increase
in staff will be required if the desirable annual inspection and
treatment is to be achieved.
In addition to present commitments, developments in connection
with the Education Act, 1944, such as the raising of the
school leaving age and provision for those attending County
Colleges, will in time greatly increase the number requiring
to be dealt with. Recent estimates have assessed possibilities as
being in the region of 40,000 children.
To meet this situation, comprehensive plans have been submitted
for a further expansion of the service extending over a
number of years. These measures have now received the general
approval of the Council.
Unfortunately, the implementation of this programme depends
chiefly on the provision of adequate clinic accommodation,
and for that reason even the initial stages of the scheme as
originally laid down are now appreciably behind schedule. It is
hoped that as soon as suitable sites can be secured, some progress
in this direction will be possible, otherwise the curtailment
of treatment for certain groups of children will have to be made.
The following Table of Analysis illustrates the calculated
year to year increase in the school population, together witn
the requisite increase of staff required:-

* Now behindschedule.