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296
Although present capabilities are barely adequate for one-third of
the school population, nevertheless, during 1968 and again in 1969
approximately one pupil in three was examined which, even with
full resources, would have been very close to the ideal. This
statistical achievement, however, must not conceal the fact that
it was impossible to offer treatment within the suggested period of
one month and that, after initial care early in school life, we are
still leaving two-thirds of the older children without adequate
supervision during a most vital period. Furthermore, fewer examinations
of children in schools remote from clinics were balanced by
the greater response from schools close to treatment facilities.
Indeed, a higher acceptance rate from distant schools might well
have forced a restriction of our established annual inspection
programme for the younger children. An increase in treatment
requirements, commensurate with advancing age of the school
child, points to the need for an extension of the comprehensive
service to secondary school age. This is clearly indicated in the
synopsis of my detailed survey of over 10,000 children appended
to the 1968 Report. On completion of the survey we returned to
the Ministry's primary requirement of segregating children needing
treatment from those dentally fit at the time of examination. It is
interesting to note that, whilst in the initial survey rampant caries
was far from uncommon, with children regularly examined and exposed
to dental health education it is now not unusual to encounter
difficulties in deciding whether a child needs treatment or not.
Despite the depressing tone of this report a definite achievement
worthy of note is that our inspections are now mainly revealing
early decay and deficient restorations rather than overt dental
disease. This trend, which has been observed too often to be
coincidence, prompts the conclusion that our progress since 1965
has not been insignificant. My pessimism stems from the belief that
half a sixpence is of value only in theory—we must strive to possess
the total coin.
Orthodontic Treatment
While use has had to be made of existing hospital facilities,
watch has been kept on the need for establishing an orthodontic
service of our own. Cases treated or referred during 1969 total more
than 50% above those for 1968 and more than six times those for
1965. It would seem that the time is now opportune for us to
undertake this treatment ourselves.
Provision jor Children in Special Schools
As shown by the above quoted survey the reality of the problem
in this field is beyond dispute. Restricted treatment potential.