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from 17 per cent of the total school population in 1966 to 53 per cent in 1967.
This level of approximately 50 per cent is the maximum that can be achieved
with the present facilities available in the Borough as it is essential for inspection
to keep step with treatment. As new surgeries are brought into use with the expansion
of the service the proportion of annual dental inspections will continue to rise.
The Department of Education and Science comprehensive review of the dental
services in Southwark took place in June and the subsequent report emphasised the
importance of school dental inspections. This review was the first since the formation
of the Borough and its recommendations and comments were of great value in
determining the future trends and direction of the service.
Inspection and Treatment
The number of school inspection sessions showed a considerable increase over
the previous year.
Treatment sessions rose by approximately 3 per cent and there was an increase in
total attendances and the number of fillings. Extraction of permanent teeth continued
to fall and the ratio of permanent teeth filled to permanent teeth extracted
rose to 14.6:1. There was an improvement in the sessional attendance rate from
8.4 to 8.6 and a fall in the number of failed appointments from 5.0 to 4.2 per session.
Orthodontic treatment continued at the same level as in 1966. The number of temporary
teeth extracted rose substantially following the increase in detal inspections.
Another feature was the fall in the percentage of children found to be in need of
treatment. It is clear that there is a steady increase in the number of parents who are
ensuring regular dental care for their children whether in the School Dental Service
or the National Health Service. Although much dental disease still remains to be
treated, this is an encouraging sign.
Premises and Equipment
Modernisation and improvement of equipment continued. New anaesthetic
machines were supplied at all four centres where general anaesthetic sessions are
held. New waiting room furniture, aspirators and electric amalgamators for mixing
fillings were installed at all centres. A new X-ray machine was supplied to Bermondsey
Health Centre.
The I.L.E.A. mobile dental clinic was used in the Borough for the first time at
Redriff and Langbourne Schools. In spite of some initial operating problems it was
well received by children and parents and was of real value in bringing dental treatment
to schools which are remote from clinics or have transport problems.
Staff
There was little change in dental officer staffing during 1967. Three dental
surgery assistants resigned or retired and the vacancies were filled not without difficulty
as the present national salary scales compare unfavourably with those offered in
the N.H.S. particularly in the lower age groups.
A review of the dental staff establishment took place in October resulting in the
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