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During the year the Chief Dental Officer attended a course on the treatment
of handicapped children and also attended the British Dental Association
Conference at Eastbourne. Three Dental Officers also attended the Conference
for one day each. Dental Officers attended courses on Dental Anaesthesia
and Preventive Dentistry. The Dental Auxiliary attended a course on the use
of projectors and also attended the I.L.E.A. in-service training courses
for Dental Auxiliaries.
Dental Health Education
In January a Press Conference was held in the Old Town Hall on Dental
Health Education. About 60 people attended, including over 30 journalists.
During the Conference a demonstration of project teaching methods was given
by children from Normand Park Junior School.
The Ronson Dental Health Trophy was awarded to Normand Park Junior School
for the school year 1970/71 and an impressive display of their work was
shown at the Design for Living Exhibition and at the Hammersmith Town
Hall.
For the first time the I.L.E.A. Puppet Show visited all the nursery and
infant schools in the Borough. It was so well received and so many requests
have been made for another visit that it will be brought back next year.
During the year Hiss Burnett, the Dental Auxiliary, has visited most
primary schools to give talks, show films and give demonstrations on
dental health education.
Considerable emphasis has also been given towards encouraging children
to use fluoride toothpastes as it has been shown that fluoride toothpastes
do reduce decay.
Premises and Equipment
For some years the Borough has had the occasional use of a Dental Caravan,
but has now been given the sole use of a Dental Caravan by the I.L.E.A.
This has been of considerable benefit in treating mentally and physically
handicapped children.
Further progress has been made in bringing the dental surgeries up to date
by installing modern stainless steel sink units and in equipping them
with autoclaves. All surgeries were washed down during the year and several
were re-decorated.
Although many surgeries are in rather unsuitable premises every effort is
being made to create a good environment for patients and staff. It is encouraging
that many parents have commented favourably on the improved
standard of furnishings.
Statistics
The full dental statistics will be found in the appendix. A big increase
in the amount of treatment being provided occurred during the year. A
particularly encouraging trend is the fall in number of failed appointments
with an increasing proportion of children completing their treatment.
In 1971 over 90% of children completed their treatment compared
with only 70% in 1969.
The pattern of treatment is also improving with more advanced treatments,
such as crowns being done and more emphasis is being placed on prevention,
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