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146
Successive increases in the acceptance rate (now approximately
70 per cent.), plus the inclusion of large scale treatment
for secondary schools, have now rendered obsolete the former
Ministry of Education establishment of 5,000 children per
clinic. On the basis of 3,000 per head now widely advocated,
it is clear that considerable increase in professional staff will be
required to achieve the badly needed annual inspection and
treatment.
Again impending developments on the part of Education
Authorities, such as the raising of the school leaving age, the
inclusion of treatment for adolescents, etc., will in time greatly
increase the numbers now requiring to be dealt with. It is
imperative, therefore, that in addition to the extra clinic now
urgently required for the treatment of secondary schools, a progressive
scheme of expansion extending over some years, should
be considered by the Committee if these ever-increasing liabilities
are to be met.
Suggested Programme of Expansion.
Excluding the present arrangements approved for the Woodside
area, the plan of expansion explained in the preceding
paragraph would work as follows :—
1946—Acquisition of 1 additional Dental Officer,
plus Clinic and Staff.
1947 „ 1 ,, ,, ,, ,,
1948 ,, l or 2 ,, ,, ,, ,,
Total : 3 or 4 Dental Officers, plus Clinics and Staff.
Inspections.
The number of children actually on the register at Borough
Primary and Central Schools at the end of 1945 was 22,349, compared
with approximately 16,000 the previous year. Unfortunately,
many children returning from evacuation after their
departments had been visited, received no inspection during the
current year; but a certain number were dealt with after application
had been received through Head Teachers, under the
category of "specials."
Of those on the register 15,735 were inspected and 9,695
(61.6 per cent.) referred for treatment, compared with 12,875
inspected and 8,047 (62.5 per cent.) referred in 1944.