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TREATMENT.
The pattern of treatment continued to be conservative and
preventive, and a limited number of more advanced restorative procedures
such as crowns and inlays were undertaken for suitable cases.
The increased number of children undergoing orthodontic treatment
during the year was gratifying,, though as yet only a beginning is
being made in tackling this problem.
Routine general anaesthetic extraction sessions took place
regularly at Walmer Road and Westboume Grove, where new anaesthetic
machines were brought into use.
An additional anaesthetist, Dr. G.I.T. Griffiths,, was welcomed for
sessions at Walmer Road.
Fourteen sessions were worked in one of the Authority's mobile
dental caravans which was stationed at a primary school some way from
the nearest clinic in order that treatment could be provided more
conveniently for the pupils.
DENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION.
On page 121, an account is given of the dental health campaign
which was a major feature of the Department's health education programme
for 1963.
The importance of the chairside situation, where the dental
surgeon has the undivided attention of the individual patient, must
also be recognised in this connection.
It is particularly effective for instruction in preventive
techniques since advice can be related to the patients' own particular
problems. Dental officers were therefore encouraged to make full use
of such opportunities and to include patient education as a regular
adjunct to treatment
COURSES AND CONFERENCES.
The Council and the Authority are both concerned to maintain staff
at a high level of professional knowledge and the following arrangements
were made during the years:-
Two dental officers attended a post-graduate orthodontic course
at the London Hospital Dental Institute in the summer.
The principal dental officer represented the Council at the
British Dental Association's annual conference in Brighton, and was
also enrolled in the autumn for the course leading to the Diploma in
Dental Public Health of the Royal College of Surgeons.
Two of the ancillary staff attended a one-day radiography course.