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In September "Pierre the Clown" gave a series of talks and demonstrations on
dental hygiene in 43 infant and junior schools. About 11,000 children took part and each
one received an apple, a badge, and a painting card. This scheme was sponsored by the
General Dental Council in collaboration with the Fruit Producers Association.
In all these activities the work of the dental auxiliary was most valuable; taking
part in and helping to organize the various projects, together with follow up visits to
schools, occupied about half of her time.
Premises and Equipment
The highlight of the year was the opening of the dental suite at the new St. George's
Health Services Centre, 151-152 Blackfriars Road. This was the first purpose built dental
centre in the Borough to be opened since 1965 and a valuable step forward in the
modernisation of the Dental service. The area is one where there is a continuing need for
dental treatment and the new building is a short distance from the site of the first school
dental clinic in London which was opened in 1908.
Replacement and improvement of equipment at other centres continued and
aspirators were provided at all centres where general anaesthetics were given. Other
minor items for use in the treatment of emergencies as recommended by the Department
of Health and Social Security in their report on Dental Anaesthesia were also provided.
Staff
During 1968 two full time dental officers were appointed to fill vacancies caused
by resignations. Four sessional dental officers also joined the staff. It was notable that
three of these were young graduates and one had a part time teaching appointment at
Guy's Hospital Dental School. This is evidence of an increasing interest in the School
Dental Service on the part of younger graduates. At the end of the year the average age of
dental officers employed in the Borough was 39 years compared with 44.3 at the end of
1967. The dental surgery assistant staffing increased by one during the year. (Four
appointments, three resignations).
In April one dental officer attended a course on Orthodontics at Keele University
and in October the Principal School Dental Officer, sponsored by the I.L.E.A., commenced
a one year course for the Diploma in Dental Public Health of the Royal College of
Surgeons.