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295
health education.
With regard to surgeries, the inspector emphasised the importance
of a high standard of accommodation, which should be clean and
bright, and stressed the need for modern equipment. The desirability
of twin surgery clinics was reiterated and attention was drawn to
the need for discussions on future replacement and the provision of
facilities in ill-served areas of the Borough.
Whilst reprehensive about the lack of suitable premises and commenting
adversely about some areas of the Borough which were not
well served, the inspector endorsed our efforts to overcome the poor
quality of some clinic accommodation, complimented us on the
standards of cleanliness and decoration and noted with satisfaction
our up-to-date equipment.
It has been our earnest endeavour to maintain dental premises
to the best of their potential and to ensure that the equipment is
not only of the highest standard but that no modern aids are lacking.
Works connected with an approach road to the new Blackwall
Tunnel involved the demolition of premises previously used for
dental purposes and a new dental suite at 103 Shooters Hill was
opened in October of this year. Although this clinic conforms in
every respect to the standards expected of a modern dental practice,
there was insufficient room available to establish a second surgery.
In essence, the inspection confirmed, inter alia, that,
(a) there was restricted inspection but that this was a deliberate
policy resulting from staff shortage;
(b) demand, in excess of available treatment facilities, continues;
(c) our clinics are pleasant and fully equipped;
(d) treatment and dental health education are of the highest
order;
(e) future progress is necessarily linked with the availability of
professional personnel and further expansion.
While 1965 could be regarded as a year of assessment and 1966
as that of reorganisation and modernisation, it had been fervently
hoped that 1967 would have been the year of achievement. ever,
it was not to be. Perhaps the coming year will see the realisation
of such aspirations prior to entering upon an expansion phase
leading to a realistic dentist/patient ratio.
Dental disease is unnecessary and largely preventable and, viewed
against this background, the following statistical analysis reveals
the alarming state of dental health of the Borough's school child.
It forcefully draws attention to the need for expansion of the school
dental service and emphasises the urgency of bringing it into line
with the high standard and efficiency associated with other
branches of preventive public health medicine.