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Mr. Patrick Fuller joined the Borough on 1st January as the Principal
School Dental Officer. During the year two full-time Dental Officers,
Mr. Brian Jackson and Mr. Richard Taylor, were appointed to replace
Mr. Ebrahim, who went back into general practice and Mr. Hutchison who
retired after many years service.
The Orthodontist, Mr. Bernard, left to take a full-time appointment
with another London Borough and was replaced by Miss Nagasinghe. Mrs. Lewis,
the Dental Auxiliary, moved to Windsor and her place will be taken by
Miss Burnett early in 1971.
Mrs Curtis, a Dental Surgery Assistant, left to have a baby and is to
be congratulated on its arrival. Her place was taken by Miss Brown, who is
to be congratulated on becoming Mrs Hickey.
Following a review of the clerical work involved in the dental service
it was felt desirable to regrade the post of Dental Clerk to Clerk/Dental
Surgery Assistant to make available a D.S.A. at times of sickness and other
absences. As a result of this regrading Mrs. Ashby transferred to another
department and Miss Knowles who was previously a D.S.A. became the Clerk/
D.S.A. Miss Knowles was replaces by Mrs. Roberts.
It is obvious that considerable staff changes have occurred during the
year, but possibly for the first time ever all dental clinics are fully
staffed. It is hoped to maintain this position in the future.
Postgraduate Studies
It is an essential part of any profession that staff should be
encouraged to attend postgraduate studies to enable them to keep abreast
of new ideas and techniques.
During the year Dental Officers attended courses on the treatment of
handicapped children, preventive dentistry, and children's dentistry.
The Principal School Dental Officer attended the British Dental Association
Conference at Manchester, and Mrs. Lewis attended the annual meeting of
Dental Auxiliaries. In addition, all dental staff attended a demonstration
of resuscitation methods and treatment of emergencies.
Most of the dental staff attend a number of meetings during the year
in their own time, arranged by the various professional organisations.
Dental Health Education
In January, the Mayor of Hammersmith accepted the very handsome silver
cup, known as the Ronson Dental Health Trophy, on behalf of the Borough.
This Trophy was awarded for the school year 1969-70 to Wormholt Park
Primary School for having the highest percentage of children rendered
dentally fit in the Dental Badge Scheme.
Ronson Products Ltd., are thanked for their very generous gesture and
their keen interest in the dental health programme.
During the year the Mobile Dental Health Unit continued to visit
primary schools and has now visited every Primary School in the Borough.
Early in the year dental health packs consisting of a plastic beaker,
toothbrush and toothpaste were distributed to children in their first
year at Primary School.
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