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134
SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE
REPORT OF THE PRINICPAL SCHOOL DENTAL OFFICER 1970
Staffing
It is pleasing to report that there has been less difficult than hitherto in
obtaining sufficient dental officers both full-time and sessional, to maintain the
service. For sessional work a number of married women with children who wish
to resume their professional life have been attracted to the service.
The difficulties which have occurred in some areas in recruitment of
dental surgery assistants have not yet become acute in Lambeth, but because of
the relatively low salary scale the number of suitable applicants is severely
limited.
The staffing position as at 31.12.70 was as follows:—
Principal School Dental Officer
Senior Dental Officer
*2 full-time Dental Officers
6 sessional Dental Officers (2.6 full-time equivalent)
1 Dental Auxiliary
9 full-time Dental Surgery Assistants
3 Sessional Anaesthetists were also employed
*3 for most of year
Inspection and Treatment
Because of the heavy demand for treatment, it was necessary during the
year to reduce the number of school dental inspections. About 60% of the total
school population were inspected either at school or in a surgery, over 85% of
them at school. The total number of sessions showed an increase of more than
100 over last year.
Inspection and treatment by the School Dental Service continues to play
an important part in improving the dental health of schoolchildren. The close
ties between head teachers, their schools and the dental team provide admirable
opportunities to impart knowledge and produce action to reduce the amount of
dental disease.
Premises and Equipment
A number of minor works were carried out to improve the surgeries,
existing units were replaced with more modern ones and several dry heat
sterilisers were installed to replace steam sterilisers.