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DENTAL SERVICES
I am indebted to the Principal Dental Officer for the following report:-
SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE
The school dental service was able during 1967 to provide full dental
treatment for any school child receiving education under the local authority.
The percentage of the school roll inspected in 1967 was 47% - this is good when
compared with 1965 when it was 28%.
CONSERVATIVE AND ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT
I am happy to report that in both these important fields of dental work,
the trend is increasing to save teeth and also to help the unfortunate child with
irregular teeth; in the case of the latter I would again like to thank the
Consultant Orthodontist at Whipps Cross Hospital for advice and treatment in the
more difficult cases.
DENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
The dental staff, as individuals, did an excellent job of work in this very
important field of dental everyday routine. Dental health talks to nursery
schools, infant and junior schools, supported with films were a prominent feature
of dental health education in 1967, but I feel sure that in the years to come a
more organised effort in conjunction with the individual effort is essential.
STAFFING
Four part-time dental officers left the Borough for various reasons.
However, I am happy to be able to report the appointment (part-time) of a
consultant anaesthetist. His work in dealing with difficult cases requiring
extractions and cases requiring surgical dental treatment is excellent.
The appointment of a senior dental surgery assistant has also proved a major
asset to the Dental Section.
I was sorry to see the dental laboratory, established in 1945, close, but
happy that the chief dental technician is still working for the Borough.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE DENTAL SERVICES
Dental treatment was available at dental clinics in the Borough for expectant
and nursing mothers and children under five years old. It gives me satisfaction
to report that in this very important part of the dental services, the percentage
inspected, and treated, and the number of deciduous and permanent teeth filled to
each extracted, compares very well with national figures and in some cases we are
in this Borough well above. Our dental auxiliaries have played a big part in
this important and valuable work. The need, however, is still great and, in my
opinion, it is priority number one, as it is only by starting at an early age,
before bad habits are formed, that good teeth and good oral hygiene can be
achieved.
GENERAL COMMENTS
I tried in 1967 to establish a third surgery at Oxlow Lane, but the economic
situation would not allow this; however, I hope that we can soon do this. There
would be two great advantages:-
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