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as is evidenced by the large number of applications when a vacancy was
advertised; one such case was in December 1936 when there were 106
answers to an advertisement in the British Dental Journal for a post
under the Tottenham Education Committee, 81 of whom were men.
The service has been built up over a period of 44 years from one fulltime
dental officer in Tottenham to the present establishment figure of
nine for the combined districts.
A clinic was first started in Tottenham in April 1914 for the treatment
of elementary school children only; in May 1922 a second clinic was
opened and at this time there were more than 24,000 pupils in the schools,
divided betewen the two dental officers.
In 1934 the inspection and treatment of secondary schools was added
to these responsibilities.
It was not until 1937 that a comprehensive scheme for the treatment
of ante-natal and post-natal mothers and pre-school children came into
operation with the appointment of a third dental surgeon.
Prior to this, however, a great deal of treatment had been given to cases
in these categories; complete treatment was given including, when
necessary, the fitting of dentures; these were supplied at charges based
on those of the dental hospitals and as most of the patients were only
able to repay gradually, a good deal of extra clerical work and accountkeeping
was involved. Orthodontic treatment for school children was
commenced in 1921 and has continued without a break since then. Until
1938 all appliances used in this work were paid for in the same way as
the dentures. In both cases, where the income was below a certain scale
no payment was made.
It seems ironical that in pre-war days with much less in the way of
first-class buildings and equipment than today, there was no difficulty
in obtaining dental staff, whereas now any loss is very difficult to replace.
It is to be hoped that something will be done to see that the service
becomes a real priority again and is put on a proper basis before it is
too late".
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