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THE SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE
F. Elston, L.D.S., R.C.S.Eng., the Principal School Dental
Officer, reports:—
"Although the 1965 Report was mainly descriptive of the then
extant School Dental Service, nevertheless, we were acutely aware
of its not inconsiderable shortcomings. Primarily we were faced with
the question of whether, in the light of experience, to modify the
existing service with necessary improvements or to make a bold
sweep and start afresh. Even at the end of 1965, assessment of what
was possible was not easy for there was still some doubt as to the
methods by which beneficial alterations would be achieved. In this
respect, easement came with the seconding of Mr. Webster to the
post of Dental Adviser to the I.L.E.A. and it is greatly to the credit
of this authority that, within a short period of his appointment,
effective administrative machinery was established.
At the first meeting of the Principal School Dental Officers in
March, 1966, at the County Hall, it was decided to form, from those
officers of the Inner London Boroughs, three sub-committees, viz.
'Preventive Dentistry', 'Premises and Equipment' and 'Orthodontics
and Special Services' with the Dental Adviser of the I.L.E.A. as
chairman of each committee so formed. The writer was appointed
to the 'Preventive Dentistry' Committee which concerns itself with
all aspects of active and preventive treatment and school dental
examinations. With a firmly established organisation suitable to
deal with individual and collective problems, the scene was set for
advancement to the next stage, i.e. a searching analysis of the existing
facilities.
In this Borough the difficulties were twofold. Firstly, the equipment
and premises at our disposal were below the standards generally
expected and those found in normal dental practice. Secondly, the
clinical aspects of the service deviated from those usually associated
with a specialised Public Health team. Moreover, with such an
extensive organisation as was the previous L.C.C. Dental Service,
treatment at individual clinics, of necessity, had to be left entirely to
the dental surgeon in charge. Doubtless, with dedicated staff, these
clinics gave excellent treatment but less desirable standards were
reached with officers of more limited experience and a lack of interest
engendered by the prevailing conditions. In such a situation even