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this connection it is worth noting the 72.4% acceptance rate of Kenmont School. Parents were
notified that treatment would be provided in a mobile surgery at school. Whilst it is true to say the
school is poorly served due to its geographic position, it does show the increased response obtained
by taking a service to the public. Not only is the acceptance rate for treatment increased
but the actual volume of treatment given per session, due to a lack of failed appointments, the
latter being a very serious and chronic problem in its own right.
The established practice of a basically conservative service has continued at all treatment
centres, though the method of making appointments was altered to allow centres to have much more
flexible control of valuable professional time.
Full statistics of treatment will be found in Appendix A, though one or two points deserve
emphasis. For every permanent tooth extracted 13.8 were filled (national average 1 : 5.3), and this
takes no account of teeth extracted as a part of planned orthodontic therapy. For every deciduous
tooth extracted 2.0 were filled (national average 1 : 0.6).
The average output of work per treatment session was slightly below the national average,
but this is accounted for largely due to the now discontinued practice of booking new patients at
the beginning of each session, and inadequate outdated equipment at some centres. Every effort
is being made to raise output, but not at the expense of quality.
Specialist Services
The major part of the orthodontic treatment within the Borough has continued to be done at
Parsons Green by Miss M.E.Stone, though other more routine orthodontics is undertaken by most
dental officers.
The number of cases completed during the year has remained constant, though the number
of new cases undertaken for treatment has fallen. This is due in part to the deliberate policy of
concentrating on the younger child at this stage and to the fact that cases are no longer referred
for treatment by Kensington & Chelsea and Wandsworth. It is encouraging that fewer cases were
discontinued during 1967, and that children and parents were co-operating in what is often a very
protracted form of treatment.
The Dental Treatment of mentally and physically handicapped children represents a very
pressing need and a particular challenge that still has to be met. The pressures of establishing a
flourishing service generally have precluded any expansion into this field, but with so many
special schools within the Borough, the provision of suitable facilities will need full and proper
consideration in the near future.
Staff
Consideration was given during 1967 to a realistic establishment for the dental service,
bearing in mind the availability of surgeries. The post of Senior Dental Officer was added, so
providing a graded structure. However, no suitable applicant has yet been appointed. A Dental
Auxiliary, Miss B.J.Brace, was appointed in October and has been making a valuable contribution
to the service. Agreement was also reached on the employment of a sessional orthodontist.