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117
SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE
Report of the Principal School Dental Officer, Mr.P.G.Oliver.
The function Of this Service is the carrying out of routine
inspection and treatment for those attending Borough Primary,
Secondary, Technical and Special Schools. "Free-place" scholars
at certain non-maintained schools approved by the local Education
Committee are also eligible for treatment.
Under this aegis facilities are also provided for those
referred under Maternity and Child Welfare and Mental Deficiency
Schemes. Particulars of work carried out in connection with the
former will be found in the appropriate Report.
Introduction.
Except for the fact that rather fewer schools could be
visited, the above Service has functioned reasonably satisfactorily
and treatment has been maintained at approximately the
same level as in 1953.
Because of fluctuations in Staff no major expansion has been
possible and available resources had largely to be concentrated
in improving the position in undermanned areas where fresh
arrears of work had become apparent.
Time spent in dealing with "casuals" continues to be substantial,
but the position is far less acute than previously and
numbers requiring attention have been reduced to reasonable proportions.
Staffing.
Attempts to obtain candidates for full-time posts have been
disappointing and though numerous enquiries have been received
regarding part-time employment, the nature and scope of these
offers has been so limited as to render them of little practical
application. In view of the apparent reawakening of interest
shown in the previous year, the position at the moment must be
regarded as rather less satisfactory. During the year one fulltime
and one part-time Officer resigned. To offset this loss one
Part-timer has been appointed to the permanent staff and a further
Dentist has been re-engaged on part-time work. Including
the above, total staff now represents the equivalent of five and
a half Full-time Officers.