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coupled with the considerable time factor associated with treatment
of the handicapped child, produces an exquisite dilemma—in a
given unit of time is it right to treat one handicapped child or
several pupils from general schools? During 1969, following
assessment of the problem in 1968, progress was made by giving
regular session at two centres to special schools. In this respect
we are most grateful for the assistance of the Mobile Dental Unit
and its crew seconded from the Dental Department for Children
at Guy's Hospital who have made a very effective ingress into this
particular problem at two of our special schools. Their efforts
are greatly appreciated but they form only part of a three year
research project. It would be deplorable and a matter of great
concern if such progress were to be followed by a reversion to the
pre-existing lack of special facilities. Naturally we are not without
plans for the future but their realisation will still be directly proportional
to the treatment facilities available when the present
project ends. Special schools with established equal need and
which have not, as yet, received the benefit of the special services
because of our restricted facilities, present no less a problem. This
is not intended to indicate that children from other special schools
are not being treated but merely that they are unable to receive the
additional regular special care which they require. Various
solutions, including the use of mobile caravans, are strongly borne
in mind both locally and within the framework of the reorganisation
of the National Health Service at Government level. In itself,
however, transferring of responsibility is not likely to be a solution
unless backed by the provision of additional treatment facilities
with appropriate specialising staff willing and able to cope with the
problem.
Summary
The gap between our present service and the need as shown by
a detailed local survey is to be deplored. We now have a service,
well established in atmosphere and equipment, under pressure from
maximal demand but organised to assume full responsibility for the
school population as soon as its facilities can be adequately expanded.
This service operates not only by treating established
defects but also by greatly publicising the needs and means of
prevention both at home and at school. School dental inspections
are now an established routine for the younger age groups and are
showing results. We are deeply concerned about the responsibility
for the handicapped child, a situation which calls for the speedy
provision of additional facilities.