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46
DENTAL SERVICE
During the year there was an acute shortage of dental officers and the effect
of this is evident in the rather disappointing amount of time spent on pre-school
children's treatment although the number of completed cases shows an increase
over last year.
More sessions were spent than last year on inspection of 3 year olds in
connection with a birthday card scheme, when children are invited to attend
at two of our Maternity and Child Health Centres; associated with these visits
is an opportunity to advise mothers on the dental care of their children, 19%
of these children attending were found to need dental treatment.
In addition to provision of treatment at surgeries within the borough, a
surgery is provided at Shirley Oaks where both school children and pre-school
children may obtain treatment.
With the opening of Belthorn Maternity and Child Health Centre this will
provide a useful link between Mothers and Pre-schoolchildren attending for other
services and the dental facilities provided there and it is anticipated that there
will be upward trend of pre-schoolchildren provided with inspection and treatment
at this centre.
After a disappointing year due to staff shortage it is hoped that it will be
possible to expand our service for pre-schoolchildren and extend the 3 year old
birthday card scheme to cover the whole borough.
B.M. Spalding, L.D.S., D.D.P.H.R.C.S. (Eng)
Chief Dental Officer