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271
THE SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE.
The Dental Staff now consists of five full-time Dental Officers.
There has been one addition to the staff during the latter part of
the year, the equivalent of whose whole time is occupied with work
for the Mother and Child Welfare Scheme.
The Dental Service deals not only with the inspection and
treatment of those attending the Elementary, Central and Special
Schools, but also with a large number of scholarship holders at
Secondary Schools. Treatment is provided in addition for patients
referred under the Maternity and Child Welfare, Tuberculosis, and
Mental Deficiency Schemes.
During the year the reconstructed Dental Clinic in Lodge Road
was opened. These premises, which provide three surgeries and
ancillary rooms and offices which all work together in one centralised
unit, are proving most popular with all who attend.
The Branch Clinics at South Norwood and Duppas Hill have
thoroughly established themselves and are giving exceedingly good
service, though facilities are somewhat limited in many respects.
Two outlying districts—Noribury and the Shirley-Addington
area—still have no provision made for treatment locally, hence
mothers and children are faced with travelling long distances to
receive attention. In cases of large families and difficult circumstances
this places an unnecessary strain on parents both financially
and otherwise. Both these areas are developing very rapidly, and
the need for the provision for treatment in them is becoming more
and more urgent.
As the Central Clinic, Lodge Road, is forced to serve such a
large area, the congestion of work in it is very great and in spite
of the recent redesign and additions, is quite unable to deal with
the demands made upon it.
Staffing.
There have been the following changes in staff during the year:
Mr. Oliver vice Mr. Fletcher; Mr. Urbani vice Mr. Davie; Miss
Hathorn appointed.
Despite the recent addition to the staff the number of dentists
is still inadequate to give the necessary annual attention to all
who accept treatment.