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DENTAL SERVICES
The model scheme for school dental service has been set out in Appendix 'C' of "Health of the
School Child" of 1962/63 which states that "The aim of the service is to ensure that, as far as
possible, through dental health education and a high standard of dental care, children shall leave
school free from dental disease and irregularity, with an understanding of the importance of good
natural teeth, zealous in looking after them".
This aspect of Dental Public Health can be divided into five divisions: Prevention, Inspection,
Staffing, Treatment, Dental Health Education.
(a) PREVENTION
In a survey carried out on new entrants to schools, (5 year olds) it was found that an average
child had 5.2 decayed, missing and filled teeth. This means that amongst our annual intake of this
age group there were approximately 14,500 teeth in need of treatment.
This is an appalling state of affairs, which is in parallel with the situations found in other areas,
other than where fluoridation of water supplies has been undertaken, where the incidence of dental
decay has been reduced by at least 50% (Department of Health & Social Security Publication No.
122 "The Fluoridation Studies in U.K. and the results achieved after eleven years").
It is, therefore, all the more depressing that such a certain and well tried measure of prevention
as fluoridation has not been undertaken in the Greater London Area. In spite of Council's agreement
for the fluoridation of water supplies it is regrettable that no action can be taken in this
Borough, because although 21 Boroughs are in favour and 9 agree in principle, 2 are opposed to
this measure.
(b) INSPECTION
Routine inspection of pupils in schools is an essential part of any Dental Public Health Measure,
in order that the prevalence and incidence of dental disease may be established.
The number of pupils inspected at schools were : —
1965 10,666
1966 11,073
1967 25,542
1968 27,253
1969 29,702
Approximately 89% of school population was inspected in 1968.
All schools were dentally inspected in 1969. It is appropriate to record that this could not have
been undertaken without the willing co-operation of Head Teachers and their staffs.
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