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ANNUAL REPORT ON THE DENTAL SERVICES, 1966.
In the Principal School Dental Officer's report for 1965 mention was made of the transfer
of dental services on the 1st April 1965. On that date the London Borough of Hammersmith became
responsible for the maternity and child welfare dental service while the Inner London
Education Authority, became responsible for the school dental service.
During 1966 the maternity and child welfare dental service has continued to run smoothly
and has satisfied the limited demands made upon it. As far as the school dental service is concerned
minor improvements and adjustments have been made. During the year a great deal of
thought was given to planning the re-orientation of the service. The Principal Dental Officers of
the Inner London Boroughs met periodically under the Chairmanship of the Dental Adviser to the
Inner London Education Authority. Their considerations ranged over such important matters as
the provision of new premises and improvement of existing facilities, staffing, equipment,
inspections at schools, dental health education and other allied subjects. It is hoped that
Hammersmith, in common with other Inner London Boroughs, will feel the benefit of these deliberations
and plans during 1967.
Matters worthy of comment during the year 1966 in Hammersmith include —
1. Premises and Equipment.
The five dental centres in the Borough, i.e. 3agley's Lane, Parsons Green, St. Dunstan's,
Shepherds Bush Road and Westway, have continued in operation during the year. Apart from
routine maintenance of these premises, constant thought was given to the possibilities of providing
alternative surgeries in new premises, particularly in proposed new health centres included
in the Council's Ten Year Health and Welfare Services Plan.
It was mentioned in last year's report that the installation of modern operating lights
was an urgent priority. These have now been provided in all but one centre and were warmly
welcomed by the dental officers.
2. School Inspections.
During the last three years of administration by the London County Council, dental
inspections at schools in Hammersmith were discontinued as an experiment and instead invitations
were sent to parents via the schools to accept dental treatment for their children at the school
treatment centres. A spot analysis made in 1965 showed that only 30% accepted the invitations.
Towards the end of 1965 dental inspections at schools were re-introduced for children who had
started school during that year at age 5 years. The inspections continued in 1966 until all primary
schools had been covered.
The following points from the survey are of interest:-
No. of inspections 49 at 41 schools.
No. of children inspected 2,071
No. found to require treatment 1,169 (56.5%)
Parents who were present at the inspections were asked whether they preferred their
children to attend school treatment centres or whether they wished to make arrangements with
private dentists. Of these 557c opted for school treatment centres and appointments were duly
arranged, while the remainder were sent reminders by post of their undertaking to have their
children dealt with privately.
In accordance with the policy of the Inner London Education Authority, it is proposed
in 1967 to reinstate by degrees the dental inspection at school of all children attending the schools
in the Borough.
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