View report page

57
Arrangements are made each year for a medical examination of the students completing their training
at Sidney Webb College. In the summer of 1972 8 sessions were arranged at which 53 students were seen.
All Colleges for Further Education were offered sessions for BCG vaccination and most accepted.
Statistics relating to the School Health Service are set out in Tables 43 and 44, page 84.
DENTAL SERVICE
D.K. Hardy, L.D.S., R.C.S. (Eng)
Chief Dental Officer and Principal School Dental Officer
It is probably as well at times to look back and see if any progress has been made. Unfortunately when
I do this I cannot really say that progress or achievement can be drawn from the figures.
There has been an increase of 12% in the period 1968—72 in the total number of sessions recorded. In
1972 nearly 2,400 sessions were undertaken, an increase of just over 260 sessions on 1968. If the number
of school children inspected at school is compared there is no difference; in 1968 50% of the total roll was
inspected and in 1972 it was the same. There has been an improvement in the dentist-to-school roll ratio; in
1968 it was one dentist to 5,520 school children, whereas in 1972 it was one dentist to 5,090. This seeming
improvement of dental officer staff is reflected in the increased number of sessions spent on treatment; the
increase over 1968 was 290 sessions. The sessions spent on school health treatment in 1972 amounted to
94% of the school health sessions. It is possible that a stage is being reached when it can be said that
something has been achieved.
Of the number of school children inspected at school in 1968 64% required treatment but in 1972 this
figure was reduced to 54%. It is to be hoped that the extra effort of dental health education undertaken in
schools by dental health educators is now beginning to have an effect. In 1972 another Dental Health
Campaign was organised during the month of May when teams went into 37 infant schools to talk in the
classrooms to new entrants, i.e. those around 5 years old. Nearly 2,000 dental hygiene kits were distributed
at the same time to the new entrants only. Films were also shown and were much appreciated by the
children. It is our earnest hope that these health education activities will have beneficial results in the years
to come.
The dental clinics continue to be improved by replacement of units with new split units, to enable
seated dentistry to be performed as is now taught in most dental schools.
The continuing problem which is always with us is the shortage of dental surgery assistants. At no time
during 1972 did the permanent dental surgery assistant staff exceed 40% of the establishment. It is
fortunate that a certain agency can produce staff to fill this void albeit erratically with visitors to this
country from the Antipodes. Stabilisation of a permanent staff would undoubtedly bring with it an
improvement in the services offered to mothers and children.
I wish to thank the Dental Officers and Dental Surgery Assistants for their efforts in maintaining a first
class dental service and to all who have assisted in any way.
Statistics relating to the school dental service and the dental service for expectant and nursing mothers,
and children under 5 years of age, are set out in Tables 50 and 51 pages 90 and 91.
CHEST CLINICS
There are three Chest Clinics in Westminster situated at the following addresses:—
Paddington Chest Clinic, 14—18 Newton Road, W.2. (229 8821).
St. Marylebone Chest Clinic, Council House, Marylebone Road, N.W.1. (828 8070).
Westminster Hospital Chest Clinic, Page Street Wing, S.W.1. (828 9811).