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308
THE SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE
Report of the Principal School Dental Officer
With the re-organisation, in 1965, of Greater London local
government, there appeared the prospect of stability permitting
long-term planning in preference to explosive expansion of a shortterm
policy nature.
Again it is necessary to refer to previous Annual Reports to
provide essential background information. These Reports contain,
inter alia, not only our initial assessment of the situation found in
1965 but also accounts of our plans and our gratification at
successes achieved, together with details of the invaluable experience
gained whereby the creation of a nucleus, from which expansion
of our present inadequate service into one of a viable and desirable
nature catering for the whole school population of the Borough,
could be made a practical proposition. Such a service would
provide both for the achievement and maintenance of oral health,
for the fulfilment of our statutory obligations and the imparting
of preventive knowledge for use in adult life.
Once steps for re-organisation and modernisation had been taken
and a preventive programme established for those schools that
could be catered for within the facilities available, it became
opportune to apply all our endeavours towards the expansion (so
necessary and so often reiterated) without which the service
would be destined to remain a token effort of good faith.
Diligent search for existing premises that could be adapted
proved disappointingly unsuccessful and, to supply the physical
basis for augmenting our potential of clinics and associated manpower,
we were constrained to rely on the alternative of new
purpose-built health centres. Ratification of a new health centre
at the Kidbrooke Estate and confirmation of the spectacular
Thamesmead project of an integrated community dental service
naturally give rise to optimism. Furthermore, the success of our
two surgeries already functioning within the Kidbrooke and Eltham
Green comprehensive schools (the first to operate within the Inner
London area) led to approval for the establishment of a third at
Plumstead Manor. With the support of the I.L.E.A. it was anticipated
that, with patience, our hopes and aspirations would
progressively be realised. Certainly with the active assistance and