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NUMBER OF INSPECTION SESSIONS AT SCHOOLS
The considerable reduction in the number of inspections held in schools is attributable
mainly to the introduction, in divisions 1 and 9, of an experimental alternative to inspections
in schools by dental officers. This experiment consisted of endeavouring to ascertain,
by issue of special handbills, the proportion of parents who would 'contract in' to use the
school dental service and of those who would 'contract out' by expressing their preference
to make private arrangements for their children's dental welfare. Not all of those 'contracting
in' responded when offered appointments in due course at a school treatment
centre and it is unlikely that all who 'contracted out' did indeed obtain treatment as they
intended. On the latter point liaison was formed during the year with the London Executive
Council, in an endeavour to ascertain the numbers who indeed obtained their desired
treatment in the general dental service. Trends which were revealed appeared to indicate
that many children fell between the two services (general dental service and school dental
service), but no firm figures were ascertained during the year. Research and enquiries were
actively conducted throughout the year and will continue.
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