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REPORT ON THE SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE
DURING THE YEAR 1950.
To the Chairman and Members of the Welf are and School
Attendance Sub-Committee.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present my annual report for
the year 1950.
The shortage of dental surgeons in the School
Health Service was relieved, to some extent, during the
year by the appointment of Mrs. E. Francis, L.D.S., t6
the Little Danson Dental Clinic for seven sessions per
week. While it is fully appreciated that the shortage of
dental officers is a difficulty experienced over the whole
country it is, nevertheless, necessary to say that the
dental services for schoolchildren in the Borough remain
inadequate and that it has not been possible to maintain
the high standards of dental care which have been
provided, in the past. The effect of this, if continued
indefintely, can only be a serious deterioration
in the dental health of the schoolchildren, and itis
sincerely hoped that recruitment into this branch
of the service will improve in the near future. It
is encouraging to note that plans are being made for
the provision of an additional dental clinic at Murchison
Avenue and it is hoped that, in due course, the staff
for this clinic will also be forthcoming.
To relieve the pressure on the Orthopaedic Centre at
the Station Approach Clinic an additional Orthopaedic
Clinic was provided at 315, The Broadway, Bexleyheath,
and this has facilitated the treatment of many children
suffering from orthopaedic defects.
During the year 19 cases of acute anterior poliomyelitis
occurred in the Borough, mostly in the Welling
area and immunisation was discontinued at the Clinics
in this part of the Borough during the period of
maximum incidence. Reference to this matter and also
to the suspension of tonsillectomy are referred to in the
foreword to the first part of the Annual Report.
The School Health Service has continued to operate
with great activity during the year. Staff changes have
necessitated a re-arrangement of clinic duties and steps
were taken during the year to use the services, in the
School Health work, of Health Visitors previously
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