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school dental service
Annual Report of the Principal School Dental Officer, 1970
An important advance in Public Dental Health was the publication in
1970 of the results of the survey of adult dental health in England and
Wales. Since the introduction of the National Health Service in 1948
considerable statistical information has become available on the amount
of dental treatment given annually. In 1949 8.2 million courses of treatment
were given under the General Dental Service. By 1969 this had risen to 18.6
million courses of treatment.
Until the publication of the survey of adult dental health little was
known of the level of dental health of the community. In the age group
16-34 years only 45.3% of the population (excluding those with full
dentures), visited their dentist regularly for examination and treatment
if necessary. In the age group 16-34 years an average of 17.1 teeth per
person had been affected by decay and 7.8% wore full dentures.
A recent survey of primary school children in Hammersmith has shown
that at the age of 5 years 74% have had some dental decay but only 34% have
received any dental treatment At the age of 10 years 90% have had some
decay but only 68% have had any dental treatment.
The primary purpose of the School Dental Service must be to educate
children to accept the need for regular dental treatment and to promote
their interest in maintaining a good level of dental health.
Dental Inspections
A total of 11,782 children were inspected at schools and clinics during
the year and 56% were found to need dental treatment. It is regretted that
only 44.4% of the school population was inspected in 1970 but it is noped
with improved staffing that it will be possible to increase considerably the
number of children inspected next year. Since school dental inspections were
recommenced in 1966 priority has been given to inspecting Primary School
Children. One secondary school was inspecte4 in 1970 and it is intended to
inspect many more next year.
It is probable that less than half of all school children attend a
dentist regularly for treatment. The aim of school dental inspections is
to determine which children need dental treatment and to encourage them
to attend e'ith er a General Dental Practitioner or a School Dental Clinic.
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