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officers in their own clinics When it is possible to set up the new orthodontic surgery
at Ida Samuel, it is still hoped that the appointment of a full-time orthodontist can be
made This full-time orthodontist might be in the person of two Dental Officers, each
spending half his time in the Borough and the other half in a post-graduate post at a
London Teaching Hospital. This would produce a useful position for orthodontists training
for consultant appointments and also enable the Borough's orthodontic treatment commitments
to be met.
The regular dental care of children in the Borough's residential homes was kept under
review during the year. The children at Langley House continue to receive regular
inspections at the home and treatment at Bethnal Green Clinic. St. Leonard's, Hornchurch,
is visited on one day each week by a Dental Officer who works in our own surgery on the
premises At all other residential homes outside the Borough, satisfactory arrangements
continue for examination and treatment by local general dental practitioners.
LIAISON WITH THE LONDON HOSPITAL
The very happy liaison which exists between the Health Department and the Dental
Institute of the London Hospital developed further during the year and continues to be
fostered by the Chief Dental Officer's part-time appointment in the Department of Child
Dental Health, Liaison with the Dental Health Study Unit is also maintained and plans
are being prepared for several dental epidemiological studies to be carried out within
the borough.
The unique position which the London Hospital occupies in the minds of the local
community means that many local parents take their children to the Dental Institute
whenever dental problems arise. It may well be that the Borough's dental staff could
establish greater liaison with the Dental Institute in the treatment and follow-up of
these patients.
During the year, groups of fifth year students spent three half days viewing the
activities of the Borough's dental services and thus obtained first hand experience of
Dental Public Health in action.
LIAISON WITH OTHER LOCAL DENTAL SERVICES
The dental resources within the Borough boundary include 53 General Dental
Practitioners working within the National Health Service, thirteen dental officers in our
own service and other special services available at the Dental Institute of the London
Hospital. A far greater understanding of the role that each of these branches of the
dental profession play in improving the health of our children's teeth must be determined.
All three branches have a part to play but for a really effective and efficient service,
much more mutual understanding and integration is essential. The basis for greater
understanding between many of the dental personnel involved already exists and is being
fostered. It is hoped that 1968 will see even greater achievements in this important
work, including the possibility of a much closer liaison between the Dental Officer who
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