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REPORT OF THE CHIEF DENTAL OFFICER AND
PRINCIPAL SCHOOL DENTAL OFFICER
In writing the report on this service which is run on behalf of the Inner London Educa- ,
tion Authority and in which the Borough collaborates, it is gratifying to be able to say that
the joint efforts have resulted in a continued improvement in the re-equipment of the dental
surgeries and that items ordered in 1966, such as new spotlights and air-rotors, are now in
position in the respective clinics.
The number of dentists employed (whole time equivalent) was .3 less than last year.
This resulted in a decrease in the total number of sessions held from 2,272 to 2,104. There
were more inspection sessions and less treatment sessions because of the new dental scheme.
This also resulted in the number of first inspections at school increasing from 2,228 to
4,963; the percentage needing treatment found at inspections had decreased and at re-inspections
increased, but both figures were higher than the area average.
The average number of fillings per session of permanent teeth was slightly less than last
year and of temporary teeth the same. The average number of extractions per session of both
permanent and temporary teeth was 0.1 less than last year.
It has proved to be a very difficult year from the point of view of staffing as although
the nursing situation gradually sorted itself out, there were resignations of dental staff
which resulted in a smaller volume of work and contributed to a late start in the reinspection
scheme. This problem has continued and the prospect for 1968 does not seem bright
if we cannot recruit staff. Every effort is being made in this direction but it seems to be
part of a larger problem in which salary plays a considerable part. Despite this the average
attendances have remained consistently good and it is obvious that 1968 will show that the
momentum of inspections will have gathered pace and there are good grounds for optimism in
this direction.
The number of fillings of permanent teeth was 1,850. The number of fillings of temporary
teeth was 1,292. The number of extractions of permanent teeth was 70 and of temporary teeth
was 566. Other dental operations were 1,837.
These figures represent a fair average and are only smaller in as much as they
relate to a depleted staff. One can only hope that the staff position will improve during
the coming year. A survey of decayed, missing extracted and filled teeth of the five year
olds was conducted in the schools at the instigation of the Authority, it being found that
the position was much the same as in the other boroughs.
Finally a word of thanks must be given for the co-operation received from all sections of
the staff during the year.
As far as the Maternity and Child Welfare Service is concerned, this has proceeded on
much the same lines as the previous year with the same problem as then - a diminishing number
of people using it at Pine Street due to the shrinkage in the number of families. Changing
patterns of housing will, of course, affect this in the future. The number of sessions both
Borough Council and Voluntary Committee equalled 274. The total attendances of expectant and
nursing mothers were 286 and of children under five years of age 913.
R. E. Hyman,
Principal School Dental Officer.
Chief Dental Officer.
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