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EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES IN DIVISIONS 1 & 9
These experiments, aimed at estimating, inter alia, parental co-operation and commented
upon in my reports of the past two years, were finalised and results analysed towards the
end of 1964. As these experiments aimed at a revolution in methods of screening the
school population to meet dental facilities which have changed through out the land, I feel
justified in reporting procedures and results rather extensively.
In May, 1961, approval was given to institute, in divisions 1 and 9, a trial scheme whereby
routine dental inspections in schools would be suspended; parents of schoolchildren
were to be advised by letter to obtain a dental' check-up ' for their children at least annually
and invited to make use of the school dental service OR to make their own arrangements
(in most cases possibly through the National Health Service). Reports were to be furnished
after an experimental period indicating, inter alia, the degree of apathy among parents.
The scheme was introduced at the beginning of the summer term 1962, following discussion
with the London Executive Council and the London Local Dental Committee. The main
object of the experiment was to make a positive contribution to the preservation of healthy
mouths by encouraging regular visits to dentists and, where necessary, early conservative
treatment, bearing in mind the shortage of dental manpower. It was hoped that the Council's
dental resources could, under these arrangements, be utilised to the best advantage, since
the dental time saved from school inspections would be available for treatment. Abortive
work in making dental appointments for children whose parents did not desire the Council's
facilities would be avoided and there would be less interruption of school activities. At
dental inspections in schools a large number of children are repeatedly inspected who are
patients of National Health Service, or other practitioners, and normally attend those
dentists—-they do not intend, generally speaking, to make use of the school dental service.
Routine dental inspections in the schools in the two divisions were suspended and a
letter was distributed, through the school organisation, at annual intervals to the parents
of every pupil. The letter reminded parents, in the interests of their child's well-being,
that at least an annual check of a developing mouth by a dentist was highly desirable;
that regular and systematic checks could detect at an early stage defects that might arise
and that any treatment subsequently found necessary would have a better chance of proving
successful. Parents were asked to return a slip to the school stating whether they (a) wished
the child to have a dental check at a Council surgery or (b) intended to make private
arrangements; school teachers were asked to see that forms were returned by the parents.
A basic feature of the new scheme was the fact that it brought many children within
the orbit of dental care before dental defects developed and some children before the defects
had become extensive or severe; whereas under the old scheme of routine inspections in
schools children were not classified and called for treatment unless and until they had
defects. We have long had preventive medicine but still need to advance in preventive
dentistry. This scheme is a real step in that direction.
When a dental check at one of the Council's centres was requested an appointment
was made at which full inspection could be carried out and any necessary treatment commenced.
Where the name and address of a general dental practitioner was given, the
dentist—with the agreement of the London Executive Council and the London Local Dental
Committee—was informed. It was hoped that the general dental practitioner selected by
the parent would take any initiative necessary to ensure that the child was offered dental
care if not presented at an early date by the parent. In many cases the child was already
a patient in the care of the practitioner.
The statistical results from both divisions 1 and 9 show no significant variation and I
consider that the lessons learned should be applied to the whole of London and give a
reasonable basis on which the need for dental provision for London schoolchildren can
be assessed. Of the parents asked to express a choice 95 per cent, did so. Of these, 35 per
cent, indicated that they wished to use the school dental service, but in actual fact only
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