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DENTAL SERVICES
SCHOOL POSTAL SERVICE
The School Dental Service was able during 1969 to provide full dental
treatment for any school child in the Borough receiving education from the
local authority including those in special schools. The percentage of the
school roll inspected in 1969 was 73% compared with 56% in 1968 and 47% in
1967. The number of patients treated showed a decrease of 666 compared with
1968.
CONSERVATION AND ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT
Once again I am happy to report that the trend to save teeth rather
than extract them is on the increase. The amount of orthodontic treatment
carried out during the year has been very satisfactory, and shows an increase
of 25% in cases completed compared with 1968.
DENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
Once again I would like to say that the dental staff as individuals,
did an excellent job of work in this very important field of every-day dental
work; talks by our dental auxiliaries were given to various junior and
infant schools. While all this is a step in the right direction, I feel that
a co-ordinated health education programme in association with the individual
effort is essential. The nursing staff and health visitors have also helped
in this field of dental work during the year 1969.
STAFFING
We began the year 1969 without dental auxiliaries due to one marrying
and going to South Africa and the other going into hospital work; in midFebruary
we recruited one replacement and in June another. However, we only
had full establishment until November when one had to leave for health reasons.
Advertisements for Dental Officers in the British Dental Journal did not
bring forth any satisfactory applicants.
I would like once again to thank the Dental Staff for their hard work
in 1969 with special mention of the increased number of school inspections.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE DETITAL SERVICES
Treatment was available at all Dental Clinics in the Borough for
expectant and nursing mothers and children under five years old. The figures
for treatment for under fives is very satisfactory despite the fact that our
staff of Dental Auxiliaries was rather reduced during the year.
GENERAL COMMENTS
The year 1969 was a very successful year from a dental point of view.
I gratefully appreciate the co-operation from Head Teachers and teachers in
schools where dental inspections were carried out.
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